A  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

17th  AERO  SQUADRON 


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All  rights  reserved,  including  that  of 
translation  into  foreign  languages, 
including  the  Scandinavian 


CONQUERORS 

Tribute  ?     But  what  tribute  to  them  can  there  be, 

Now  it  is  finished,  now  they  are  finished,  and  we 

Have  only  now  mere  thoughts  that  stumble  through  mere  words  to  give 

While,  having  had  like  us  their  lives  to  live. 

They,  in  their  self-efifacing  enterprise. 

Over  Flanders  and  its  chill  seas  mist-hung. 

Or  over  France,  through  hostile  wind-swept  skies — 

They  sought  the  fateful  bullet  made  for  them. 

Their  bullet  destined  how  no  man  can  tell 

And  seeking  it,  fearless,  found  it  and  so  fell 

Dead,  but  not  conquered,  out  of  the  fight  not  won 

Yet,  and  yet  less  bitter  for  their  skill. 

For  their  undying  daring,  less  hard  to  win; 

And  so  they  measured  finally  their  fears 

And  all  the  mortal  dangers  of  their  days 

And  made  their  high  fate  clean  of  all  decays, 

Supreme  as  was  their  readiness 

And  as  their  victory  over  self  supreme. 

Tribute  of  words  ?     How  poor  to  them  would  seem 

Words,  even  words  of  deepest  understanding 

And  how  distasteful  to  them  any  tears  ! 

Still,  lest  in  reading  after  futile  years 

These  pages  along  which  their  going  has  sown 

The  only  glory  this  our  tale  can  have — 

Lest  we  should  say,  vanquished  by  life  all  unaware. 

Trapped  in  mere  living  s  pitfalls 

Or  basely  by  our  very  days  undone. 

Theirs  was  the  only  way  and  theirs  the  only  peace,.    .     .     . 


4.24HZ.} 


CONQUERORS 

Not  then  for  their  sake,  hut  jor  our  own. 
Here  are  their  names  and  dates, 
Set  like  a  gateway  over  the  days  and  ways 
In  which  they  left  us,  passing  on  to  where 
No  chance  dark  finger  of  a  meaner  hour 
Can  lay  its  sully  on  their  memory  now. 

A  gateway  of  their  names — what  tribute  can  there  he 

To  them  who  gave  Life  life  to  make  it  free 

Other  than  this  or  worthier  or  more  proud  ? 

Save  this  alone  perhaps,  if  fate  allow. 

That,  for  their  sake  and  for  our  own  sake,  we 

Forget  not,  as  their  clear  eyes  saw,  to  see 

Steadfastly  their  victory  victoriously 

In  ways  that  they  would  not  condemn. 

What  more  ?     What  more  could  he  ? 

There  is  no  other  tribute  we  can  pay  to  them  ! 


VI 


jFlpins  0llittvi  i^illeb  in  Action 

1st  Lieut.  George  P.  Glenn 

July  20,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Murray  K.  Spidle 

August  4,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Ralph  D.  Grade 

August  12, 1918 

1st  Lieut.  Lyman  E.  Case 

August  14, 1918 

2nd  Lieut.  William  H.  Shearman 

August  14,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Merton  L.  Campbell 

August  23,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton 

August  24,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Lawrence  Roberts 

August  26,  1918 

2nd  Lieut.  Howard  P.  Bittinger 

August  26, 1918 

2nd  Lieut.  Harry  H.  Jackson,  Jr. 

August  26,  1918 

2nd  Lieut.  Gerald  P.  Thomas 

September  22,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Harold  G.  Shoemaker 

October  6,  1918 

1st  Lieut.  Glenn  D.  Wicks 

October  6, 1918 

Vll 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

CoNgUERORS  V 

Officers  of  17TH  Aero  Squadron  Killed  in  Action  .     .  vii 

CHAPTER 

I.    Organization  and  Training 3 

II.    The  Dunkirk  Front 15 

III.  The  British  Drive  for  Cambrai :  Auxi-le-Chateau  37 

IV.  The  British  Break  the  Cambrai  Front:  Sombrin  45 

V.    Combat  Reports 55 

VI.    Reports   of  Low   Bombing   and   Machine   Gun 

Attacks 97 

VII.    Statistics .147 

Appendix.    Casualties  and  Changes:  Roster  of  En- 
listed Men 155 


IX 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 
Our  First  Hun Frontispiece 

OPPOSITE 
PAGE 

Fourth  OF  July,  191 8 15 

A  Foul  Tips  Robert  Lorraine 

Grand  Stand  Seats  on  the  Dug-out  of  Petite  Synthe  .  19 

Taking  Care  of  Their  Big  Brothers -25 

An  Attack  on  Varssenaere  Aerodrome,  August  13,  191 8  31 

Hamilton  Gets  a  Balloon 37 

Taking  Off  in  Formation,  Auxi-le-Chateau    .     .  ^, .     .  42 

That  Musical  Mess  at  Sambrin 45 

Running  Down  a  German  Staff  Car 49 

Good-bye  to  the  British  Front 53 


XI 


A  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

17th  AERO  SQUADRON 


CHAPTER  I 
Organization  and  Training* 

THE  17th  Aero  Squadron  came  into  being  at  the  beginning 
of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Air  Service,  on  May  13, 191 7, 
a  month  after  war  was  formally  declared  by  the  United 
States.  At  that  time  it  was  called  Company  "M,"  later  Com- 
pany "B."  Still  later  it  became  the  29th  Provisional  Aero 
Squadron,  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  and  then  the  17th. 
Its  entire  enHsted  personnel  were  volunteers,  and  a  majority  of 
them  had  "come  in"  beHeving — the  idea  was  sown  broadcast 
by  recruiting  sergeants  in  various  parts  of  the  country — that 
they  were  to  be  eventually,  not  mechanics,  but  flying  officers. 

They  came  from  thirty-five  states  of  the  Union,  from  Porto 
Rico,  Canada,  and  Mexico,  and  they  were  among  the  first  to  ar- 
rive at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas — an  aerodrome  which 
was,  at  that  moment,  rather  a  project  than  a  reality. 

The  squadron's  experience  at  Kelly  Field  was,  in  many  re- 
spects, an  augury  of  its  future  for,  from  that  time  on,  it  was  al- 
ways to  be  the  first  to  try,  or  have  "tried  upon  it,"  the  experiments 
to  which  a  new  service  inevitably  gives  rise.  It  was  the  first 
squadron  sent  to  Canada  to  be  trained  by  the  British;  the  first 
squadron  to  go  back  to  the  fields  near  Fort  Worth  that  were  to 
be  administered  by  British  and  American  officers  working  to- 
gether; the  first  completely  trained  squadron  to  be  sent  Over- 
seas with  its  complete  quota  of  pilots;  the  first  squadron  to  be 
attached  to  British  squadrons  at  the  Front  (and  therefore  the 
first  in  the  battle  line) ;  and  the  first  squadron  to  be  equipped  by 
the  British  and  brigaded  with  them,  in  active  service,  under  their 
command. 

*The  material  contained  in  this  chapter  is  due  to  the  kindness  of  Lieut.  David  T.  Wells, 
from  whose  first  sketch  of  it  the  general  sequence  of  the  narrative  and  some  of  the  word- 
ing have  been  retained. 


.' ,; ;  ; :  :^    history  of  i7th  squadron 

Having  been  the  first  to  carry  out  these  experiments,  as  well 
as  others  on  which  no  stress  need  now  be  laid,  it  suffered  all  the 
handicaps  which  the  objects  of  experiment  commonly  suffer.  And 
the  fact  that  the  17th  Squadron  finally  proved  itself  so  efficient 
and  retained,  to  such  a  degree,  its  esprit  de  corps,  when  at  last 
it  began  to  take  part,  as  a  unit,  in  operations  at  the  Front, 
speaks  volumes  for  the  character  of  those  first  volunteers.  It 
speaks  volumes  too  for  their  cheerful  loyalty  that,  without  rancor 
or  bitterness,  they  "carried  on" — false  as  had  been  the  ideas 
given  them  of  what  their  duties  were  to  be — when  in  France  their 
friends,  who  enHsted  later  than  they,  turned  up  as  pilots  while 
they  remained  mechanics. 

The  credit  for  the  record  of  a  scout  squadron  naturally  goes  to 
the  flying  officers  who  have  taken  the  risks  and  done  the  fighting, 
but  no  small  part  of  it  should  go  to  the  enUsted  men,  who  have 
to  be  untiringly  on  the  look-out  for  loose  wires  and  hidden  broken 
parts;  who,  in  busy  times,  work  all  night  long  to  have  machines 
ready  for  a  patrol  at  dawn;  and  who  at  best  can  have  only  the 
satisfaction  that  comes  from  making  possible  the  deeds  of  other 
men.  What  pilots  and  enHsted  men,  working  together  in  a  spirit 
of  conscious  self-sacrifice,  can  do  in  spite  of  repeated  discourage- 
ment, is  made  evident  by  this  letter  from  Lieut.  Gen.  J.  M.  Sal- 
mond,  G.O.C.,  R.A.F.,  to  Gen.  M.  M.  Patrick,  Chief  of  the  Air 
Service : 

Dear  General  Patrick: 

Now  that  the  time  has  come  when  Nos.  17  and  148  Squadrons 
return  to  you,  I  wish  to  say  how  magnificently  they  have  carried 
out  their  duties  during  the  time  they  have  been  lent  to  the  British 
Aviation. 

Every  call  has  been  answered  by  them  to  the  highest  degree,  and  when 
they  have  arrived  with  you,  you  will  have  two  highly  efficient  squadrons 
filled  with  the  offensive  spirit. 

I  should  like  to  recommend,  if  you  agree,  that  they  be  fitted  with 
S.  E.  5  machines.  Their  formation  flying  is  good  and  I  consider  this 
type  of  machine  would  suit  them. 

Yours  sincerely, 

(Sgd.)  J.  M.  Salmond. 


ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING 

The  results  of  the  unconquerable  determination  to  do  their  best 
that  called  forth  General  Salmond's  letter  are  shown  with  still 
greater  force  by  the  following  facts,  which  give,  in  two  words  so  to 
speak,  the  record  of  the  17th  Squadron  as  a  fighting  unit  for  the 
period  July  15 — October  28.  During  fifty-one  days  on  which  we 
sent  out  offensive  patrols  over  the  lines,  we  destroyed  and  had 
confirmed  fifty-four  enemy  machines  and  balloons  and  drove 
down  out  of  control  ten  more,  or  in  all  a  total  of  sixty-four.  In 
other  words,  we  destroyed  or  drove  down  1.25I  enemy  aircraft 
for  every  fighting  day  of  our  active  operations.  For  the  same 
period  we  dropped  from  low  altitudes,  on  hostile  transport  and 
infantry,  1,164  bombs  and  fired  into  them  31,806  rounds.^ 

To  get,  however,  an  adequate  idea  of  the  squadron's  career  as  a 
whole,  we  must  go  back  briefly  over  its  history  before  it  became  a 
force  with  which  the  Hun  had  so  considerably  to  reckon. 

Its  life  began,  as  we  have  said,  at  Kelly  Field.  There  its  work 
consisted  chiefly  of  drills  and  fatigues.  The  men  surveyed  and 
built  the  first  sewerage  and  water  system,  and  the  first  barracks 
and  hangars  of  the  camp.  On  August  2,  1917,  with  the  third  com- 
manding officer  assigned  to  it  within  three  months,  Lieut.  Robert 
Oldys,  the  squadron  moved  to  Toronto,  Canada.  In  July  a  re- 
ciprocal agreement  had  been  made  by  the  British  and  American 
governments  under  the  terms  of  which  the  British  were  to  organ- 
ize and  train,  at  the  Royal  Flying  Corps'  camps  in  and  about 
Toronto,  the  pilots  and  mechanics  of  ten  squadrons  for  Overseas 
service.  A  certain  number  of  American  cadets  were  already  in 
training  at  these  camps.  The  17th  Squadron  was  the  first  group 
of  enlisted  men  to  arrive  in  fulfilment  of  the  terms  of  the  agree- 
ment with  regard  to  personnel. 

On  its  arrival,  on  August  4th,  it  was  sent  to  Recruits*  Depot, 
at  Leaside.  There  the  men  were  given  three  weeks'  British  drill 
and  discipline.  They  ** formed  fours"  and  they  "stood  at  ease." 
Then  they  were  split  up  into  detachments  and  sent  on  to  various 
other  camps  for  training  in  rigging  and  fitting  and  all  the  trades 
involved  in  the  repair  and  upkeep  of  aeroplanes.     The  gunners 

^For  full  statistical  record  of  the  17th  Squadron,  as  a  fighting  unit,  see  Chapter  VII, 
parts  I,  II  and  III. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

and  wireless  operators,  for  example,  went  to  the  school  of  Military 
Aeronautics,  at  Toronto  University;  six  men  went  to  the  Motor 
Transport  Depot,  Toronto,  of  which  they  afterwards  had  charge; 
seventy-five  men  went  to  the  Royal  Flying  Corps  Aeroplane  Re- 
pair Park;  six  others,  to  the  flying  field  at  Desoronto;  and  ninety- 
nine  men  were  left  at  Leaside.  The  C.  O.  and  Headquarter's  staff 
moved  to  Camp  Borden,  one  hundred  miles  away,  to  take  charge 
of  other  Americans  who,  in  the  meantime,  had  arrived  there. 

It  is  hard  to  hold  an  organization  together  under  such  circum- 
stances; but  the  men  were  apparently  eager  to  learn,  for  the  wire- 
less operators  and  gunners  soon  became  instructors  of  cadets, 
while  thirteen  of  the  N.  C.  O.'s  who  had  remained  at  Leaside 
were  put  in  charge  of  Recruits'  Depot  when  the  N.  C.  O.'s  of  the 
Royal  Flying  Corps  detachment  there  were  given  leave. 

But  if  it  is  difficult  to  keep  an  organization  alive  when  its  per- 
sonnel has  been  broken  up  into  scattered  groups,  it  is  still  more 
difficult  to  work  up  an  esprit  de  corps  under  conditions  such  as 
these.  The  men  were  really  civilians  in  uniform,  and  not  too  well 
discipHned  either.  When  the  squadron  reassembled  at  Leaside 
before  proceeding  to  Texas,  it  was  given  the  task  of  washing  the 
station  mascots — "Bruno,"  a  large  woolly  dog,  and  a  goat  named 
"  Billy."  The  result  was  that "  Bruno  "  turned  up  the  next  morning 
with  a  perfectly  clean  shave,  while  "Billy"  ambled  out  into  the 
world  with  a  large  "U.  S."  painted  on  his  side,  and  with  a  long 
streamer  tied  to  his  tail  bearing  the  legend : "  17th  Aero  Squadron." 
He  was  also  noticeably  the  worse  for  drink,  and  when  in  the  rain 
the  men  marched  off  to  the  train,  "Billy"  had  such  a  headache 
that  he  was  only  too  glad  to  see  them  go.  The  squadron  left 
Toronto  on  October  12th,  under  the  command  of  Major  Geoffrey 
H.  Bonnell,  and  proceeded  to  Fort  Worth,  Texas.  An  advance 
party  of  twenty  men  had  left  for  the  same  destination  on  Septem- 
ber 24th. 

The  general  direction  of  training  in  Canada  and  at  the  new  fields 
near  Fort  Worth  was  in  the  hands  of  Brig.  General  Hoare,  R.  F.  C. 
The  officers  who  commanded  the  American  troops  stationed  in 
and  about  Toronto  had  been,  first  Major  Shepler  A.  Fitzgerald, 
then  Capt.  (afterwards  Lieut.  Col.)  David  L.  Roscoe. 

6 


ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING 

Major  Bonnell  was  an  American  who  had  been  a  flight  com- 
mander in  the  R.  F.  C.  and  afterwards  C.  O.  of  the  79th  Canadian 
Training  Squadron.  His  staff  in  the  17th  was  made  up  of  the 
following  ground  ojfficers:  Lieut.  H.  McC.  Bangs,  adjutant; 
Lieut.  David  T.  Wells^  supply  officer;  2nd  Lieut.  Howard  B. 
Hull,  gunnery  officer;  and  2nd  Lieut.  Ellsworth  C.  Goldsworthy, 
R.  F.  C.,  liaison  officer.  Eight  cadets  who  had  finished  their 
training  were  attached  to  the  squadron  and  proceeded  with  it  to 
Texas:  Walter  A.  Jones,  Ralph  D.  Gracie,  Orville  A.  Ralston, 
Charles  W.  France,  Ralph  W.  Snoke,  Oliver  P.  Johnson,  Harold 
G.  Shoemaker,  Jesse  O.  Creech. 

Of  the  latter,  all  but  one  finally  received  their  commissions  and 
came  Overseas  with  the  squadron.  Jones  was  killed  in  the  first 
fatal  flying  accident  that  occurred  after  our  arrival  in  Texas. 

Our  destination  was  Hicks,  a  small  station  near  Fort  Worth, 
which  was  afterwards  called  Taliaferro  Field,  No.  i.  The  aero- 
drome there  was  in  a  deplorably  unfinished  state.  Barracks  for 
the  men  and  hangars  there  were,  near  enough  completion  to  be 
serviceable,  but  the  officers  lived  in  tents  from  which  they  had 
to  chase  an  occasional  tarantula.  There  were  no  telephones  and 
practically  no  transport.  The  aeroplanes  destined  for  our  use 
were  still  in  their  long  wooden  boxes,  and  stores  were  only  just 
beginning  to  arrive. 

We  began  work  however  in  earnest  and  at  once.  Flights 
were  formed  as  completely  as  the  officers'  imperfect  knowledge 
of  their  men's  capacity  permitted.  Sgts.  Hayes  R.  Miller, 
John  B.  Douglass,  Lomas  Gipner,  and  Cameron  A.  Smith  were 
put  in  charge  of  them  and  Edward  C.  Bauer  was  made  first  ser- 
geant. On  the  second  day  after  our  arrival  the  first  machine 
was  in  the  air.  Within  a  week  all  machines  assigned  to  us  had 
been  unpacked,  erected,  and  were  flying.  Cadets  W.  A.  Jones, 
R.  D.  Gracie,  and  O.  P.  Johnson  were  made  flight  commanders. 
They  worked  hard  and  well.  They  showed  undeniable  ability 
and,  for  months  before  they  received  their  commissions,  they  did 
in  a  creditable  manner  the  work  of  officers.  New  cadets,  who 
came  to  the  field  to  finish  their  training,  were  taught  further  de- 
tails of  the  art  of  flying  by  cadets  who  had  already  really  learned 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

to  fly.  We  messed  where  and  how  we  could,  and  the  cadets  get 
a  certain  amusement  of  their  own  by  having  such  a  series  of 
forced  landings,  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  girls'  school  not  many 
miles  away,  that  all  engine  trouble  came  to  be  looked  upon  with 
suspicion.  But  our  earnestness  was  undeniable  and,  for  the  most 
part,  officers,  cadets,  and  men  were  full  of  a  happy  adventurous 
spirit  inspired  by  the  oft-repeated  promise  that  the  17th  was  to 
be  the  first  American  pursuit  squadron  to  reach  the  Front. 

By  November  ist,  thirty  cadets  had  completed  their  training; 
most  of  them  had  also  received  their  commissions;  the  enlisted 
personnel  had  become  a  fairly  smooth-running  organization;  and 
the  squadron's  equipment  for  Overseas  service  was  as  complete 
as  it  could  be  made  without  supply  tables.  For  the  period  of  our 
training  at  Hicks  we  held  the  flying  record  for  the  field — sixty- 
three  hours  a  day  on  seven  machines  serviceable.  Just  before 
we  were  due  to  entrain  for  the  port  of  embarkation.  Major  Bonnell, 
who  had  also  been  in  temporary  command  of  the  Post,  was  re- 
Heved  from  duty  with  the  squadron,  by  Major  Martin  F.  Scanlon 
— our  sixth  commanding  officer  in  ten  months.  Lieutenant  Hull 
was  also  relieved  at  the  same  time,  as  gunnery  ofl&cer,  by  Lieut. 
Arthur  B.  Lapsley. 

When  the  squadron  arrived  at  Garden  City  (December  23),  it 
found  New  York  in  the  grip  of  a  coal  famine  and  the  longest  cold 
snap  the  city  had  known  for  years.  Sailing  was  held  up  for 
nearly  a  fortnight,  and  during  the  interval  commissions  arrived 
for  those  cadets  who  had  not  yet  received  them.  The  passenger 
list  had,  however,  already  been  made  up  and,  on  board  the  trans- 
port, these  the  latest  of  our  officers  had  to  put  up  with  accommo- 
dations meant  for  sergeants. 

We  sailed  finally  on  January  9th  on  the  Carmania — one  of  a 
convoy  of  fourteen  ships.  Everything  went  according  to  sched- 
ule and  we  arrived  in  Liverpool  on  January  25th.  The  voyage 
was  a  normal  war-time  crossing — no  very  rough,  no  very  pleasant 
weather,  many  rumors,  but  no  submarines.  From  Liverpool 
we  went  to  the  American  "Rest  Camp"  at  Romsey,  and  there, 
so  far  as  discomfort  went,  we  got  our  first  taste  of  what  war  is. 
It  was  really  more  than  a  taste.     Not  many  weeksr  later  the 

8 


ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING 

squadron  took  part  in  the  British  retreat  of  March  and  April 
and,  as  a  fighting  unit,  the  men  were  with  the  British  during  their 
advance  of  September  and  October;  but  in  all  their  incessant 
moving  back  and  forth  through  the  mud  and  confusion  of  twice 
and  thrice  fought-over  territory,  never  were  they  so  uncomfortable 
as  at  this  **Rest  Camp." 

And  they  had  other  new  reasons  for  being  disheartened,  if  any- 
thing could  have  disheartened  them.  They  had  been  told,  as  we 
have  said,  that  the  17th  was  to  be  the  first  pursuit  squadron  Over- 
seas; they  were  well  trained  and  organized;  they  were  eager  to  do 
their  part  in  the  struggle;  and  yet  it  was  now  proposed  to  split 
the  squadron  up  again — for  reasons  no  one  could  fathom — and 
scatter  the  men  among  the  Royal  Flying  Corps  training  camps  in 
England.  In  the  end,  however,  that  blow  too  was  averted,  and 
the  squadron  was  sent  to  the  Front  to  learn  how  to  rig  S.  E.  5's 
and  take  care  of  Hispano-Suiza  engines.  For  this  purpose  it  was 
arranged  that  each  flight,  under  the  command  of  a  ground  officer, 
should  be  attached  to  a  separate  R.  F.  C.  fighting  squadron  for 
duty  and  final  training,  while  the  C.  O.  and  the  pilots  went  to  va- 
rious flying  schools  in  Great  Britain  for  instruction  on  war  ma- 
chines. Lieutenant  Bangs  took  Headquarters  flight;  Lieutenant 
Lapsley,  "A''  flight;  Lieutenant  Wells,  "B''  flight;  Lieutenant 
James  G.  Bennett,  a  flying  officer,  who  volunteered  to  help  out 
in  the  hope  of  getting  his  higher  training  at  the  Front,  took  "C" 
flight. 

On  February  9th  the  squadron  sailed  from  Southampton  for 
Havre,  with  a  shipload  of  mules  and  horses  destined  for  the  use  of  a 
Jewish  regiment  on  its  way  to  Palestine.  A  Donegal  Irishman, 
one  of  the  "Old  Contemptibles,"  with  two  wound  stripes  and  two 
decorations,  had  charge  of  this  strange  consignment,  and  the 
amusement  he  displayed  at  the  nature  of  his  command  was  quite 
unbounded. 

At  Havre  Captain  StradHng,  D.  A.  A.  G.  of  the  British  armies, 
met  us  when  we  disembarked.  He  had  been  sent  down  from  G. 
H.  Q.,  R.  F.  C,  to  see  the  flights  oflF  to  their  various  destinations. 
D.  A.  A.  G.,  by  the  way,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  never 
learned  or  have  now  forgotten  the  shorthand  of  the  war,  stands 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

for  Deputy  Assistant  Adjutant  General.  Headquarters  flight 
was  assigned  to  24  Squadron,  at  Martigny;  "A"  flight  to  84 
Squadron,  at  Guizancourt;  "B"  to  60  Squadron,  at  Ste.  Marie 
Cappell,  near  Hazebrouck,  on  the  Flanders  front;  and  "C"  to 
56  Squadron,  at  Baizieux.  All  left  at  once  except  "B"  flight 
which  followed  the  next  day. 

Up  to  the  beginning  of  the  German  "push,"  on  March  21st,  all 
of  the  flights  had  much  the  same  experience.  To  put  part  of  a 
unit  [of  one  nationality  into  a  squadron  of  another,  without  caus- 
ing friction,  requires  from  both  the  greatest  tact.  In  our  case  the 
arrangement  was  that  instruction  was  to  be  entirely  in  British 
hands,  but  discipline  in  those  of  the  respective  American  officers 
in  charge. 

Before  long  our  men  knew  their  machines  and  engines  well 
enough  to  be  rather  a  help  than  a  hinderance  to  the  squadrons 
to  which  they  were  attached.  And  they  made  rapid  progress^ 
because  for  the  most  part  both  officers  and  men  realized  that 
they  were  part  of  an  experiment  in  training  squadrons  in  the 
field,  and  that,  upon  their  ability  to  get  on  well  with  the  British, 
the  future  of  this  method  of  training  in  no  small  measure  de- 
pended. How  well  they  understood  the  situation  is  made  appar- 
ent by  the  fact  that,  in  nearly  five  months,  during  which  they  were 
attached  to  British  squadrons,  no  really  unpleasant  incident  arose 
between  the  two  nationalities. 

The  17th  Squadron,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  handicapped 
in  many  ways  by  its  complete  detachment  from  the  American 
service.  More  than  that,  during  our  first  months  in  France,  the 
flights  were  totally  out  of  touch  with  one  another.  Later  on  a 
succession  of  officers,  chosen  it  seemed  quite  at  random  and 
placed  in  command  of  American  Aviation  Units  with  the  British, 
came  for  a  casual  hour  or  two,  at  widely  scattered  intervals,  to 
see  how  we  were  "getting  on."  This,  however,  was  long  after 
our  detachments  had,  each  with  its  British  unit,  settled  down  to 
serious  war  work.  The  Air  Service  apparently  forgot  that  we 
existed.  Supplies,  particularly  clothing,  were  unobtainable. 
The  squadron  was  destitute  of  transport. 

When  the  German  drive  began  all  flights,  with  the  exception 

10 


ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING 

of  "B,"  were  still  on  the  aerodromes  to  which  they  had  been  sent 
originally.  **B"  flight,  however,  had  moved  to  Bailleul  where  it 
had  had  its  baptism  of  shell  fire,  shrapnel,  and  bombing,  through 
which  it  had  come  unscathed.  A  little  later  (March  23rd)  it 
moved  to  Bellevue,  back  of  Arras.  The  whole  squadron  was  now 
on  the  front  involved  in  the  Hun  attack  and,  from  the  end  of 
March  on,  all  flights  took  part  in  a  succession  of  movements  car- 
ried out  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  advance.  They  helped  build 
new  aerodromes;  they  helped  abandon  them  and  build  still  others 
as  the  British  army  moved  back. 

Since  the  17th  Squadron  was  one  of  the  very  few  American  units 
that  saw  from  the  inside  this  great  cycle  of  movements,  the 
changes  of  station  made  by  its  scattered  flights  are  not  without 
interest.  Headquarters  flight  began  its  retreat  on  the  first  day 
of  the  drive  (March  21st)  when  24  Squadron,  R.  A.  F.,  left 
Moreuil.  It  abandoned  the  aerodrome  only  a  few  hours  before 
the  Hun  reached  it,  and  some  of  our  men  were  among  those  who 
remained  to  burn,  if  necessary,  the  hangars  and  quarters.  Before 
their  task  was  finished,  the  Hun  had  all  but  come  across  the  other 
side  of  the  field  and  they  were  under  machine  gun  fire.  From 
Moreuil  the  flight  went  with  24  Squadron  to  Bertangles;  then 
from  Bertangles  to  Conteville.  At  Guizancourt  "A"  flight  had 
been  under  artillery  fire,  while  with  84  Squadron,  R.  A.  F.,  be- 
fore, they  moved  to  Roye;  and  the  last  man  to  leave  got  away 
only  an  hour  and  a  half  before  the  Germans  came  up.  From  Roye 
it  went  to  Vert-Galand  Farm  (March  24th)  and  then  to  Maison- 
Ponthieu  (March  29th).  At  last  the  Hun  was  held  and  "A" 
flight  made  with  84  Squadron  only  one  more  move  (April  5th) 
before  the  17th  was  reassembled — this  time  to  Bertangles.  The 
other  two  flights  made  many  similar  changes  of  station.  "B" 
flight  had  come  down  from  Flanders  to  Bellevue  with  60  Squad- 
ron just  in  time  to  stand  by  to  move.  All  the  British  squadron's 
stores  and  property  were  divided  up  so  that,  if  need  arose,  they 
could  be  destroyed  in  the  order  of  their  relative  importance. 
Nothing,  however,  in  spite  of  much  foreboding,  was  lost  in  moving 
to  Fienvillers  (March  28th).  There  "B"  flight  remained  until 
April  when  it  went  to  a  field  not  far  from  Rougefay  (April  12th), 

II 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

which  was  the  last  camp  it  occupied  as  a  detached  flight  with 
60  Squadron.  "C"  flight  moved  once  (March  26th)  from 
Baizieux  to  Valheureux  Farm,  near  Candas. 

These  Spring  months  were  one  of  the  busiest  and  most  exciting 
times  the  R.  A.  F.  had  ever  known  and,  during  them,  the  enUsted 
men  of  the  17th  Squadron  learned  much  more  than  the  mere 
care  of  their  machines.  They  knew  now  what  it  meant  to  send  out 
patrols  and  move  incessantly  from  one  aerodrome  to  another 
at  the  same  time.  And  that  knowledge  gained  in  actual  experi- 
ence was,  if  possible,  even  more  valuable  to  them  than  the  knowl- 
edge they  gained  of  service  machines  and  engines.  Later,  when 
they  were  operating  as  an  American  unit  with  the  R.  A.  F., 
word  came  in  the  middle  of  the  night  to  move  in  five  hours,  and 
they  were  ready  before  that  brief  interval  had  passed. 

On  April  ist.  Headquarters  flight  was  detached  from  24  Squad- 
ron and  until  May  20th  it  worked  as  a  salvage  section  under  the 
22nd  Wing,  R.  A.  F.  In  those  five  weeks  it  salvaged  twenty-five 
enemy  machines  and  fourteen  British,  chiefly  without  lights  in 
the  darkness  of  the  night,  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  German 
lines. 

During  the  latter  part  of  those  anxious  months,  and  in  the 
months  of  May  and  June,  other  American  squadrons  followed  the 
trail  blazed  by  the  17th.  Other  officers  were  placed  successively 
in  command  of  the  American  squadrons  with  the  B.  E.  F.,  and 
still  there  appeared  to  be  little  hope  that  our  flights  would  be 
reformed  and  put  into  active  operations.  By  the  end  of  May  the 
enlisted  men  had  been  in  training  for  eighteen  months;  they  had 
been  four  months  at  the  Front;  and  yet  they  seemed  as  far  as  ever 
from  the  realization  of  their  ambition  of  operating  as  an  American 
unit.  They  had  had  special  training  on  the  rigging  and  engines 
of  English  200  h.  p.,  French  220  h.  p.,  and  Viper  Hispano-Suiza 
S.  E.  5*8,  and  now  it  suddenly  transpired — ^who  was  responsible, 
we  wondered,  for  this  lack  of  foresight? — that  England  could  spare 
no  machines  of  that  type. 

On  May  i8th  Major  Harold  Fowler,  M.  C,  succeeded  Major 
Thomas  S.  Bowen  and,  soon  after  he  assumed  command  of  the 
American  Air  Service  Units  with  the  British  Armies,  it  was  decided 

12 


ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING 

that  the  17th  should  be  put  on  no  h.  p.  Le  Rhone  Sopwith  Camels. 
The  mechanics  were  given  a  month  to  master  their  overhaul  and 
upkeep — machines  and  engines.  Headquarters  and  "A"  flights 
went  on  May  20th  for  that  purpose  to  23  Squadron  and  then  to 
80  Squadron;  "B"  flight  was  assigned  to  46  and  "C"  flight  to  3 
Squadron,  R.  A.  F.  The  men  learned  rapidly.  On  June  20th 
all  four  flights  were  sent  to  a  field  at  Petite  Synthe,  near  Dunkirk, 
to  become  once  more  a  unit  and  resume  their  identity  as  a  squad- 
ron. 

At  last  we,  who  had  been  ready  so  long — at  last  we  were  going 
to  take  a  real  part  in  the  fighting  which  for  nearly  six  months  we 
had  heard  and  seen,  but  into  which  we  had  not  yet  been  able  to 
put — so  slowly,  so  feebly  and  heedlessly,  do  the  wheels  of  adminis- 
tration often  grind — had  not,  one  might  more  accurately  say,  been 
allowed  to  throw  our  whole  strength. 

Lieutenant  Lapsley  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  relieved,  on  ad- 
mission to  hospital,  by  ist  Lieut.  Lorenz  K.  Ayres  as  armament 
officer,  and  Lieutenant  Bangs  was  replaced,  as  adjutant,  by  ist 
Lieut.  Frederick  Mortimer  Clapp,  formerly  adjutant  of  the  22nd 
Aero  Squadron. 


13 


CHAPTER  II 
The  Dunkirk  Front 

OUR  new  CO.,  who  had  received  his  orders  far  South,  at 
the  other  end  of  the  line,  and  had  flown  up  from  Dijon 
through  the  rain  to  assume  the  command  that  he  held 
through  all  our  active  operations,  was  ist  Lieut,  (now  Major) 
Samuel  B.  Eckert,  formerly  CO.  of  the  9th  Aero  Squadron.  Like 
all  our  pilots,  ground  officers,  and  enlisted  personnel,  he  was 
British  trained.  He  had  flown  at  London  Colney,  Turnberry, 
and  Ayr.  At  the  Front  he  had  been  on  S.  E.  5's  with  84  Squad- 
ron, R.A.F.,  at  Bertangles,  and  with  80  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  on 
Camels,  at  Chateau  Thierry  during  some  of  the  fiercest  and  most 
decisive  fighting  of  the  "push." 

Our  senior  flight  commander,  ist  Lieut,  (now  Major)  Morton 
L.  Newhall,  or  as  we  knew  him  "Mort,"  had  flown  on  off*ensive 
patrol,  on  S.E.5's  and  Camels  with  3  and  84  Squadrons,  R.A.F. 
Shortly  after  we  arrived  at  Petite  Synthe,  he  was  put  in  com- 
mand of  the  148th  Aero  Squadron  which,  flying  officers  and  men, 
was  also  British  trained  and  was  being  reassembled  and  reorgan- 
ized (July  1st)  not  far  from  us,  on  the  other  side  of  the  canal  at 
Cappelle  Aerodrome.  Mort's  new  dignity  meant  a  great  loss 
to  us.  He  left  us  taking  with  him  the  marvellous  pup,  his  insep- 
arable "Shadow,"  and  leaving  in  us  a  void  filled  happily  however 
with  a  sense  that  his  success  was  sure.  And  we  were  not  mistaken. 
Rarely  has  a  commanding  officer  shown  himself  so  wise,  so  modest, 
and  so  intelligently  sympathetic,  rarely  has  he  won  so  completely 
and  kept  so  securely  at  once  the  deep  respect  and  the  warm  ad- 
miration both  of  his  pilots  and  subordinates.  The  148th  were 
equipped  with  Clerget  Camels  and  Hke  us  operated  with  the  65th 
Wing,  R.A.F.  Our  relations  with  them  were  always  dehghtfully 
fraternal.  We  called  each  other  up  and  inquired  what  each 
other's  patrols  had  seen  and  done  and  what  the  activity  on  the 

15 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

lines  was  like.  They  dined  us  and  we  dined  them.  We  took 
counsel  together,  and  their  fine  record  was  a  matter  of  joy  to  us 
as  we  watched  it  grow. 

Lieutenant  Tipton  was  promoted  to  be  **  B  "  flight  commander. 
He  had  served  with  3  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  and  had  a  remarkable 
knowledge  of  aeroplane  engines.  "C"  flight  was  commanded 
by  1st  Lieut.  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton  whose  record  while  flying  with 
3  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  was  four  and  a  quarter  enemy  aeroplanes 
and  balloons  destroyed,  ist  Lieut.  Weston  W.  Goodnow  was 
given  command  of  "A"  flight.  He  had  acquired  his  background 
of  experience  at  the  Front  with  No.  203  British  Squadron,  as  had 
Lieutenants  Frost  and  Campbell  theirs  with  209  and  54  Squadrons 
respectively.  Lieutenants  Desson,  Dixon,  and  Gracie  had  seen 
service  with  209  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  on  Camels,  and  Lieutenant 
WiUiams  had  been  with  3  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  although  he  had 
never  crossed  the  lines.  The  remainder  of  our  original  pilots 
came  to  us  from  the  Training  Brigade  through  the  pool  from  which 
all  British  trained  pilots  were  drawn.  That  background,  that 
common  experience,  was  an  immense  asset.  Each  of  our  pilots 
had  ideas  of  his  own,  gained  in  actual  fighting,  about  the  way  to 
carry  out  oflFensive  patrols.  Every  detail  of  the  operation  of 
a  Le  Rhone  engine  or  the  use  of  aeroplane  controls  in  flying 
formation  or  fighting  was  made  the  subject  of  heated  discus- 
sions in  which  many  ideas — based  upon  the  long,  thorough, 
and  often  painful  experience  of  the  British — came  to  light  and 
became  part  and  parcel  of  our  general  knowledge  of  organization 
and  tactics. 

Nor  was  that  all.  We  profited  even  more  directly  by  many 
details  of  British  system.  Was  it  not  laid  down,  for  example, 
in  their  regulations  that  no  pilot  was  to  cross  the  lines  until 
he  had  been  three  weeks  in  France  and,  in  addition  to  show- 
ing marked  proficiency  in  flying  and  manoeuvring,  had  flown 
a  certain  number  of  hours  on  Hne  patrol  and  had  fired  successfully 
a  certain  number  of  rounds  from  the  air  at  a  fixed  target?  The 
British  never  sent  a  pilot  straight  into  the  fray,  raw  from  training 
fields.  That  mere  detail  of  administration  and  foresight  saved 
them  and  us  many  lives  and  prevented  disasters  from  happening, 

16 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

at  the  very  beginning  of  the  squadron's  career,  that  would  have 
permanently  lamed  its  offensive  spirit. 

Major  Harold  Fowler,  who  was  in  a  way  our  American  Wing 
Commander,  was  also  British  trained.  His  past  experience  with 
the  Royal  Flying  Corps  included  many  kinds  of  machines,  from 
artillery  observation  two-seaters  to  Camels,  and  he  had  fought 
and  flown,  from  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  not  only  in  France  but 
in  East  Africa.  He  therefore  understood  better  than  many 
Americans  the  possibilities  and  the  difficulties  of  British  organ- 
ization; he  saw,  as  no  one  before  him  had  in  the  slightest  degree 
tried  to  see,  the  necessity  of  seconding  us  in  the  desire  we  enter- 
tained of  making  our  relations  with  the  British  happy  and  friendly. 
He  had  his  own  particular  Camel  which,  with  that  of  Col.  J.  A. 
Cunningham,  D.  F.  C.  (O.  C.  65th  Wing,  R.A.F.),  was  kept  in 
our  hangars  and,  from  the  beginning  of  our  activity,  he  was  a  not 
infrequent  visitor  at  Petite  Synthe.  After  we  moved  to  Auxi- 
le-Chateau,  he  moved  his  Armstrong  hut  and  had  it  set  up  in  our 
woods,  and  when  he  was  not  visiting  the  148th,  or  G.H.Q.,  R.A.F., 
or  his  own  headquarters  at  Montreuil-sur-Mer,  he  ate  and  lodged 
with  us. 

After  all  our  "busses"  had  been  collected  from  Marquise  and 
properly  tuned  up,  after  we  had  made  numerous  practice  forma- 
tion flights,  and  had  fired,  early  and  late,  at  the  aeroplane  target, 
in  the  marsh,  by  the  dunes  of  St.  Pol-sur-Mer,  till  there  was  noth- 
ing left  of  it  but  shreds,  we  were  ready  for  Hne  patrols  of  which 
we  did,  before  going  into  active  offensive  work,  188  hours,  sending 
out  in  all  114  machines.  It  was  on  starting  out  upon  these  that 
we  received  our  official  secret  insignia,  a  white  dumb-bell  painted 
on  each  side  of  the  fuselage  aft  of  the  cockpit.  The  148th  fought 
under  the  sign  of  the  "White  Triangle."  Later,  in  contemplation 
of  our  return  to  the  American  Armies,  we  adopted  and  had  con- 
firmed as  our  own  symbol,  "The  Great  Snow  Owl,"  of  which  Sgt. 
Hayden  C.  Kellum  made  a  forceful  sketch.  But  it  was  with  the 
"Dumb-Bell"  on  our  sides  that  we  fought  all  our  battles,  and  the 
other  more  decorative  emblem  can  never  quite  replace  it  or  have 
for  us  the  same  fulness  of  significance. 

The  field  at  Petite  Synthe,  near  Dunkirk,  lies  in  a  rough  triangle 

17 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

between  the  main  railway  Hne  from  Dunkirk  to  Calais,  the  by- 
road running  from  Petite  Synthe  to  Pont  de  Petite  Synthe  on  the 
Bourbourg  Canal,  and  the  sidings  of  the  railway  on  which  hospital 
trains  belonging  to  the  French  Medical  Corps  were  drawn  up 
waiting  for  sudden  calls  from  this  or  that  part  of  the  Front.  The 
by-road  crosses  the  field  on  its  southwestern  side.  This  was  one 
of  the  oldest  aerodromes  in  French  Flanders  and  belonged,  in  the 
beginning,  to  the  Royal  Naval  Air  Service.  It  had  been  the  home 
of  some  great  British  Squadrons  of  the  5th  Wing,  R.N.A.S.: 
among  them,  the  2nd,  5th,  6th,  nth,  afterwards  the  202nd,  205th, 
206th,  and  2iith,  Royal  Air  Force,  as  well  as  the  49th  R.F.C., 
the  87th,  R.A.F.,  and  the  85th  R.A.F.,  which  the  great  Canadian 
scout  pilot,  Major  Bishop,  commanded. 

The  land  round  about  is  flat  and  often,  in  the  morning  and  eve- 
ning, full  of  ground  mist.  The  weather  too  is  full  of  the  change- 
ableness  of  a  sea-coast  country.  Beautiful  long  lines  of  poplars 
border  the  by-road  and  the  Route  Nationale  to  Calais.  From  the 
air  the  country  looks  like  an  immense  irregular  patchwork  of  hght 
and  dark  green,  interspersed  with  the  gray  and  brown  of  well- 
tilled  fields,  from  which  stand  out  the  spire  of  St.  Eloi  at  Dunkirk, 
not  far  from  the  city's  network  of  docks  and  shipbuilding  yards, 
and,  to  the  East,  the  many-moated,  star-shaped  and  battered 
Nieuport,  on  the  Yser  Canal. 

The  squadrons  that  occupied  the  field — there  were  almost  al- 
ways three  of  them — were  housed  in  wooden  huts,  arranged  inside 
for  the  hammocks  of  the  "ratings"  of  the  Royal  Naval  Air  Service. 
Outside  they  were  banked  with  revetments  of  sandbags  and  each 
squadron  had  its  own  dugout  which,  in  the  case  of  the  old  202nd, 
afterward  Major  Bishop's  and  then  ours,  was  a  vast  structure 
like  an  oblong,  broken-down  step  pyramid,  in  the  making  of 
which  nearly  thirty  thousand  sandbags  had  been  used.  You 
needed  dugouts  in  that  region,  for  the  Hun  came  over,  and  often 
in  force,  every  clear  night.  You  watched  the  sky  in  the  evening 
and,  if  a  star  came  out  as  it  grew  dark,  you  were  sure  to  hear 
someone  remark:  "Well,  I  guess  old  Jerry  will  be  over  to-night." 
The  strictest  rules  were  enforced  with  regard  to  lights  and  when 
the  siren  at  Dunkirk,  familiarly  called  "Mournful,"  bellowed,  to 

18 


Grand  stand  seats  on  the  dug-out  of  Petit  Synthe 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

be  answered  shrilly  by  Coudekerque  and  St.  Pol-sur-Mer,  the 
dynamo  in  the  workshop  lorry  came  to  a  dead  stop.  The  Hun 
sailed  over  black  spaces.  There  was  not  a  gleam  or  ghmmer  in 
the  plains.  But  around  his  droning  Gothas,  the  pulsation  of 
which  you  came  quickly  enough  to  distinguish  from  the  hum  of 
Handley  Pages,  F.E.'s  or  night-scouting  Camels,  the  black  of 
the  sky  was  full  of  innumerable  winking  stars  of  "Archy"  and 
the  rumble  of  the  barrage.  The  Hun  only  "got  something"  near 
us  twice  at  Dunkirk — once  when  he  put  a  bomb  on  the  aerodrome 
side  of  the  hospital  trains  and  blew  all  their  glass  out,  and  once, 
the  night  we  arrived,  when  he  dropped  a  large  one  on  the  French 
Cavalry  shack  behind  our  Mess,  leaving  a  deep  hole  in  the  mud 
and  much  match-wood.  The  chief  effect  of  this  attack  upon  the 
squadron  was  to  make  some  of  us  bolt  out  of  our  quarters  in 
pyjamas. 

Most  of  the  men  seemed  to  Hke  bomb  raids,  although  some  of 
them  felt  happier  when  they  were  standing  around,  joking  about 
"Jerry,"  within  diving  distance  of  the  mouth  of  the  dugout. 
They  looked  upon  raids  as  a  spectacle  not  to  be  missed.  The  per- 
sonnel of  the  French  hospital  trains  were  less  devoted  to  fireworks 
for  their  own  sake.  They  had  perhaps  had  too  much  of  them  in 
four  long  years.  At  all  events,  on  clear  nights — ^and  there  were 
many  during  the  first  part  of  our  stay  in  those  much-bombed  re- 
gions— you  would  find  the  whole  French  force  of  the  neigh- 
borhood packed  in  the  inner  stifling  darkness  of  the  dugout,  into 
which  the  roar  of  anti-aircraft  fire  and  the  crashing  "zong"  of 
bombs  came  muted,  while  the  whole  American  force  conspic- 
uously displayed  itself  on  the  roof,  using  it  as  if  it  were  the  grand- 
stand at  Paine's  Pyrotechnics. 

In  a  shack  on  the  by-road,  near  the  ditch  where  fat  rats  lived, 
we  set  up  our  Officers'  Mess.  We  believed  in  making  it  as  com- 
fortable as  possible;  and  anyone  surprising  us  between  patrols 
in  those  first  weeks  would  have  seen  pilots  and  commanding 
officer  standing  on  trestle-tables  or  piled  gasoline  boxes,  painting 
the  ceiling  of  the  shack  white  and  the  little  beams  a  pale  green,  or 
busily  laying  old  canvas  on  the  rough  floor.  They  did  not  despise 
comfort  and  some  touch  of  beauty.     They  came  in  from  fighting 

19 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

the  Hun  to  roll  the  tennis  court — an  operation  that  consisted  in 
dragging  an  old  cement  beam  behind  a  Fiat  truck  round  and 
round  in  the  mud  in  front  of  the  Mess.  Todd  and  Case  and  Des- 
son,  and  sometimes  even  three  or  four  others,  managed  to  squat 
or  stand  tottering  on  the  twisting  beam  to  give  it  greater  weight, 
while  "Army,"  as  Armstrong  was  famiharly  called,  **chauffed'' 
the  truck. 

There  were  hurried  trips  to  Calais  for  added  luxuries.  All  the 
light-green  iron  garden  chairs  the  Nouvelles  Gaieties  of  that 
place  possessed  were  bought  and  brought  home.  Wicker  chairs 
and  cushions  were  bought  too.  Gravures  galantes — but  not  too 
"galantes" — as  well  as  perfectly  proper  prints  in  colour  of  "Les 
Noces  Alsaciennes"  were  tacked  on  the  wall.  A  piano  was  hired, 
and  a  gramophone,  with  a  couple  of  dozen  records  chiefly  of  semi- 
classical  music,  such  as  "Asa's  Death"  by  Grieg  or  the  "Song  of 
the  Boatmen  on  the  Volga,"  was  squeezed  out  of  the  Red  Cross. 
We  also  designed  and  had  executed  by  Day,  the  sailmaker,  drop- 
lights,  the  stand  of  which  was  made  of  an  empty  soixante-quinze 
shell-case,  well  polished,  and  the  shade  of  a  yellow  silk  edged  with 
beads  and  surmounted  by  a  shining  nose-piece. 

There  were  unwritten  rules  of  the  Mess.  One  had  to  be  more 
or  less  dressed  for  dinner;  one  had  to  come  up  to  the  CO.  and 
formally  apologize  if  one  were  late;  one  did  not  begin  one's  soup 
until  he  did;  one  did  not  light  a  cigar  or  cigarette  until  he  had 
lighted  his.  We  never  wore  Sam  Browne  belts  at  dinner,  but 
the  Officer  of  the  Day  wore  his  belt  at  all  times.  No  excuse  was 
valid  for  breaking  any  of  these  rules,  or  by  speech  or  act  disturb- 
ing the  decorum  of  the  Mess.  Not  that  we  were  quiet  or  gloomy. 
Far  from  it!  We  soothed  our  digestion  with  laughter  and  endless 
poking  of  fun  at  one  another.  And  nothing  brought  forth  such 
peals  of  merriment  as  the  infraction,  through  thoughtlessness,  of 
any  of  our  rules.  The  offender  bought  drinks  or  cigars  or  both 
all  around,  depending  upon  the  gravity  of  his  crime,  to  shouts  of 
"Randolph,  Randolph,  take  an  order!" 

Those  were  also  the  days  when  the  Pilots'  Room  was  worked 
out  in  the  C.O.'s  canvas  hut,  various  partitions  of  which  were 
occupied  by  the  "Staff."    Maps  were  feverishly  pasted  together 

20 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

by  the  force  of  the  Squadron  Office  until  they  covered  the  walls; 
the  "line"  was  drawn  in  blue  pencil  upon  them  with  anxious 
attention  to  accuracy;  data  technical  and  confidential  about 
operations  and  flying,  that  flowed  in  copiously  from  65th  Wing 
Headquarters,  were  made  accessible.  There  the  CO.  and  the 
pilots  met  to  discuss  "shows."  There  the  Colonel,  the  Wing 
Adjutant,  the  Wing  Equipment  Officer,  the  Wing  Armament  Offi- 
cer, and  the  dignitaries  of  the  Brigade  were  received.  They  came 
frequently  and  without  formality,  easy  and  charming  and  deeply 
interested  in  our  progress.  We  had  only  to  ask  to  receive,  within 
reason.  They  did  everything  in  their  power  to  help  and  enlighten, 
putting  their  experience  freely  at  our  disposal. 

The  air  was  always  full  of  the  roar  of  engines  on  a  fair  day, 
and  even  on  days  when  mists  hung  about  the  plains  or  clouds 
rolled  up  from  the  south  and  west,  there  was  a  roar  at  least  from  the 
test  bench.  We  watched  the  big  bombing  formations  of  the  21  ith 
take  off"  in  front  of  the  hangars — twelve,  fourteen,  even  sixteen 
D.H.9's  getting  away,  one  after  the  other,  and  disappearing  into 
the  haze  toward  Calais  to  get  their  height.  When  we  escorted 
them  on  their  long  trip  to  Bruges  Docks,  which  they  bombed  twice 
a  day  regularly  for  weeks,  we  had  a  sense  of  personal  interest  in 
their  going;  for  were  not  our  orders  to  meet  them  at  15,000  feet 
over  Dunkirk  at  a  given  moment  ?  We  kept  a  weather  eye  on  our 
squadron  clock  and  thirty-five  minutes  after  the  last  D.H.9 
had  thundered  away,  we  "got  off*"  taking  great  pride  in  leaving 
the  ground  in  formation,  one  flight  after  another,  and  returning 
"wing  tip  to  wing  tip"  in  one  solid  buzz. 

We  set  up  an  engine  shop,  carpenter's  shop,  tinsmith's  shop, 
sailmaker's  shop,  Q.M.  and  technical  stores,  armory  and  can- 
teen, mostly  out  of  dilapidated  huts  or  old  aeroplane  boxes  and 
bits  of  salvaged  canvas.  We  strung  telephone  and  electric  light 
wires;  we  filled  in  roads;  we  found  pieces  of  burlap  with  which  to 
blind  the  windows  against  the  night-flying  Hun.  Headquarters 
flight  with  its  engine  repair,  its  supplies,  its  parked  lorries  and 
tenders,  its  hum  of  saws  and  drills,  its  hammer  and  bang  of  the 
blacksmith  shop,  was  organized  and  speeded  up. 

The  Chinese,  who  worked  on  the  revetting  of  the  shacks  and 

21 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

had  long  ago  camouflaged  the  hangars  with  strange  characters  of 
their  own,  watched  our  activities  with  smiles  and  curiosity.  At 
evening  through  the  mist  we  saw  still  other  companies  of  them 
trooping  along  the  road  to  their  camp  by  the  canal,  coming  home 
on  a  train  we  called  the  "Chinks'  Limited"  that  drew  up  puffing 
and  full  of  them  on  a  siding  behind  our  shacks. 

It  was  upon  the  organization  of  the  flights,  shops,  and  stores 
that  most,  perhaps,  depended  in  this  formative  period.  Happily 
few  mistakes  were  made.  Lieutenant  Wells  had  been  so  many 
months  with  the  squadron  that  he  knew  the  character  and  ability 
of  most  of  the  enlisted  men.  Sgt.,  afterward  M.S.E.  John 
B.  Douglass,  seconded  by  Sgt.  Hayes  R.  Miller,  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  technical  side  of  aeroplanes  and  engine  upkeep 
and  overhaul.  His  work  corresponded  to  that  of  the  technical 
sergeant  major  in  an  Enghsh  squadron  or  to  the  engineering  officer 
of  an  American  unit.  His  responsibilities  were  great  and  he 
met  them  unfailingly.  Sgt.  Clay  A.  Wellborn  was  made 
Truckmaster  and  had  under  his  supervision  the  entire  equipment 
of  R.  A.  F.  transport  allotted  to  us,  that  consisted  of  one  Crossley 
touring  car,  seven  Leyland  lorries,  five  Crossley  tenders,  two  work- 
shop lorries,  six  trailers,  two  water-trailers,  four  motorcycle 
side-cars,  eight  motorcycles,  as  well  as  the  five  Fiat  trucks  with 
four  trailers,  a  large  water-trailer,  one  Harley-Davidson  side-car 
and  one  Cadillac  which,  before  we  reached  Petite  Synthe,  had 
been  put  upon  our  charge  by  the  Services  of  Supply  of  the  Amer- 
ican Air  Service.  He  succeeded  admirably  and  was  soon  made 
First  Sergeant,  a  berth  that  Sgt.  Lomas  Gipner  had  filled  dur- 
ing our  first  weeks  of  reorganization.  Sgt.  Eldon  E.  Hively 
was  given  charge  of  "A"  flight,  Sgt.  Devillo  Sloan,  who  was  later 
nominated  for  training  as  a  flyer,  was  given  charge  of  **B"  flight, 
Sgt.  C.  A.  Smith  of  "C"  flight,  jn  each  case  carrying  on  the  work 
that  they  had  begun  in  Texas. 

Repairs  were  done  under  pressure.  But  any  machine  seriously 
crashed  was  at  once  returned  to  No.  8  Aircraft  Park  and  from  the 
Depot  a  new  machine  was  deUvered  to  us  immediately.  It  was 
a  matter  of  hours  only  before  we  had  "written  oflF'*  the  wreck  and 
taken  the  new  "bus"  on  to  our  strength.     A  "Casualty  Report" 

22 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

went  to  the  Wing  by  dispatch  rider  and  a  "signal"  came  back, 
for  example:  "Sopwith  Camel  D  4598  struck  off  strength  17th 
Aero  Squadron.     One  Sopwith  Le  Rhone  Camel  allotted,  i  A.D. 
Please  collect."     And  the  CO.  would  say:  "Todd,  will  you  get 
this    bus?"    handing    him    the    signal.     We    were  liable   to   be 
"straffed"  if  our  "Casualty  Report"  was  even  a  little  late.     The 
same  was  true  of  transport  and  supplies,  with  almost  no  exception, 
from  tools  to  sandbags,  from  acetone  to  rivets  and  flashhghts. 
But  there  was  no  promiscuous  and  wholesale  dumping  of  material 
on  our  charge.     The  British  had  too  much  use  for  everything  a 
squadron  needs.     They  were  short — sometimes  in  some  things 
anxiously  short.     You  had  to  give  chapter  and  verse,  in  proper 
form,  as  tersely  as  possible,  for  all  your  requisitions.     You  had 
your  fortnightly  allowance  of  each  item;  you  had  your  mobiliza- 
tion tables  for  every  "spare."     But  what  you  could  show  a  real 
need  for  you  got.     That  was  where  the  functioning  of  the  Supply 
Office,  or  Equipment  Office  as  it  was  called,  came  in.     It  was  ad- 
mirably run  under  Lieut.  David  T.  Wells's  direction  by  Sgt. 
Cecil  N.  Douglass.     Had  it  been  in  doubt  of  its  procedure  or  its 
rights,  had  it  hesitated  or  failed  to  "indent"  when  the  appointed 
moment  came  for  routine  supplies,  we  should  have  been  handi- 
capped.    It  didn't.     Rare  occasions  excepted  it  functioned  with  a 
smoothness  that  brought  expressions  of  admiration  from  the 
British,  who  are  generally  slow  to  praise.     Moments  there  were 
when  a  rebuilt  engine  could  not  be  made  serviceable  on  the  ap- 
pointed day,  because  a  special  part  was  not  obtainable — such 
as,  for  example,  the  notorious  small  reamers  and  metric  gauges 
that  we  worried  about  for  more  than  a  week.     Forty-eight  engines 
were  rebuilt  in  the  squadron  during  active  operations  in  fourteen 
weeks;  eight  machines  were  rebuilt  in  the  same  time.     Wings 
and  tail  planes,  rudders  and  tail  skids,  undercarriages  and  "props" 
too  numerous  to  mention,  came  back  on  machines  from  offen- 
sive patrol  shot  through  by  Archy  or  riddled  by  machine  gun 
bullets.     They  were  quickly  changed  and  the  bus  made  service- 
able for  war  flying. 

In  only  one  case  was  there  any  real  delay — the  famous  case  of 
the  "R.A.F.  wires,  cross-bracing,  centre  section,  upper,"  which 

23 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

on  all  the  machines  on  our  strength  was  shorter  than  the  "Mob." 
tables  showed  or  any  the  Park  or  Depot  possessed.  We  meas- 
ured and  remeasured  them.  They  were  twenty-seven  and  a  half 
inches  from  thread  to  thread.  The  Wing  was  incredulous.  "If 
they  are  twenty-seven  and  a  half  inches,  we  will  get  them  for  you, 
but  you  had  better  be  sure  that  all  your  wires  are  twenty-seven 
and  a  half  inches  long  or  there  will  be  trouble."  That  was  the 
Wing's  last  word.  Once  again  CO.  and  adjutant  cHmbed  over  the 
bus  and  again  they  measured  the  infernal  wires.  "Twenty- 
seven  and  a  half,"  shouted  the  CO.,  deHghted  to  have  something 
on  the  Wing.  If  the  whole  truth  must  be  told,  we  had  only  made 
the  interesting  discovery  which  gave  rise  to  all  this  excitement 
when  Williams  came  back  one  day  from  patrol,  having  had  a  scrap 
with  five  Fokkers,  with  his  "cross-bracing  wires,  centre  section, 
upper,"  cut  away  by  Hun  bullets  that  must  have  passed  within 
an  inch  of  his  head.  Who  till  then  had  ever  thought  of  measuring 
a  centre  section  cross-bracing  wire?  The  flat  snipped  wire  was 
made  into  a  scimitar-shaped  paper  knife  for  Williams  as  a  souvenir. 
We  crossed  the  lines  on  offensive  patrol  for  the  first  time  on 
July  15,  191 8.  The  Front  was  very  quiet.  It  was  WiUiams 
who  brought  down  our  first  enemy  aeroplane  not  far  from  Ostend,^ 
with  the  famous  Bassin  de  Chasse  for  background,  on  July  20th, 
at  about  9:45  in  the  morning.  Early  in  the  afternoon  the  follow- 
ing message  came  from  the  Wing: 

SIGNAL   MESSAGE 

From :  American  Mission  with  Belgian  Army. 
To:  CO.  17th  Aero  Squadron. 

Re:  confirmation  E. A.  sent  down  by  Lieutenant  Williams.  2nd  Sec- 
tion, 6  D.  A.,  Belgian  Army,  reports  one  E.A.  seen  to  go  down  in  flames 
S.W.  of  Ostend,  between  9:30  and  10:00  this  morning. 

On  the  same  evening  congratulatory  telegrams  on  Williams' 
exploit  came  from  General  Salmond,  commanding  the  R.A.F. 
in  the  field,  and  from  Colonel  Cunningham.  It  was  a  great  day 
with  us  and  the  enlisted  men  were  quite  as  excited  as  the  oflBcers. 
It  meant  much  that  at  last,  after  so  many  discouragements  and 

^See  Combat  Report,  No.  i,  page  55. 

24 


Taking  care  of  their  big  brothers 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

changes,  we  had  achieved  the  beginning  of  our  offensive  career. 
WilHams  was  given  an  impromptu  fete  at  dinner  in  the  Mess  which 
his  retiring  disposition  took  with  obvious  embarrassment.  Ser- 
geant Kellum  drew  a  large  ink  sketch  of  the  memorable  "scrap" 
from  the  descriptions  brought  in  by  the  pilots.  Ultimately  it  was 
framed  and  hung  in  the  Mess  with  the  legend:  "Our  First  Hun." 

This  too  was  the  day  on  which  we  had  our  first  casualty — 
Lieut.  George  P.  Glenn,  a  son  of  Virginia,  and  a  charming  fellow. 
He  was  missing  from  the  morning  patrol  and  was  last  seen  diving 
steeply  south  of  Ostend,  after  having  been  attacked  by  a  Fokker 
at  20,000  feet. 

We  had  many  other  memorable  days  at  Petite  Synthe.  There 
was  the  day  when  Lieut.  Floyd  M.  Showalter  came  down  with 
engine  trouble  beyond  the  railway  embankment,  just  south  of 
Nieuport,  in  the  floods  of  No  Man's  Land.  Tipton  flew  low  over 
him  to  protect  him  from  being  shot  down  by  enemy  scouts  from 
above  and,  as  he  circled  about  him,  he  saw  "Showie"  calmly  cHmb 
out  of  his  bus  and  splash  away  west,  wading  toward  the  Belgian 
lines.  Showalter  told  us  later  that  he  had  found  an  underwater 
road,  and  after  that  we  never  ceased  to  "kid"  him  about  his  habit 
of  wearing  rubber  boots  when  flying. 

While  we  were  escorting  211  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  on  the  way 
home  "Goodie,"  as  Lieutenant  Goodnow  was  known  among  us,  in 
"B,"  for  example,  would  take  great  delight  in  sitting  right  over 
"B"  of  the  bombing  formation,  Gracie  in  "M"  over  "M,"  and 
'A"  over  "A,"  and  so  on.  "Taking  care  of  their  big  brothers" 
they  called  it,  and  it  delighted  No.  211  too.  One  of  our  most  treas- 
ured letters  is  the  following  from  Major  G.  R.  M.  Reid,  M.C.,  of 
that  squadron: 

30th  August,  1 918. 
To  Ofiicer  Commanding  No.  65  Wing,  Royal  Air  Force. 
17th  U.  S.  Aero  Squadron: 

I  would  very  much  like  to  express  in  writing  the  gratitude  felt  both 
by  myself  and  the  flying  personnel  under  my  command  for  the  excep- 
tionally fine  escort  work  done  by  the  above  Squadron  when  escorting 
the  bomb  raids  on  Bruges  Docks,  carried  out  by  this  Squadron. 

We  are  all  agreed  that  when  No.  17  Squadron  was  escorting  our  raid 
we  had  nothing  to  fear  from  A.E.    Although  it  was  often  imperative  to  fly 

25 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

out  to  sea  and  attack  from  East  of  the  Target,  thus  making  it  a  very  long 
trip  over  the  lines,  nevertheless  No.  17  U.  S.  Squadron  always  stuck  to  us. 
On  one  or  two  occasions  a  machine  of  ours  would  straggle  owing  to  engine 
trouble,  but  these  machines  had  no  need  to  fear  attacking  E.A.  fas  some 
of  the  escorting  machines  would  always  look  after  the  straggler. 

On  many  occasions  E.A.  attempted  to  attack  our  bombing  machines 
over  the  Target  but  they  were  never  successful  owing  to  the  excellence 
of  the  escort. 

Finally  I  can  only  say  that  I  do  not  consider  that  any  Squadron  in 
France  could  have  supplied  a  better  escort  than  No.  17  U.  S.  Aero 
Squadron. 

(Sgd.)  G.  R.  M.  Reid, 
Major  R.A.F. 
Commanding  No.   211    Squadron. 

This,  as  it  v^ere,  supplemented  a  letter  from  the  British  Naval 
Authorities  that  reads  as  follows : 

19th  August,  1918. 
To  General  Officer  Commanding,  Royal  Air  Force,  B.E.F. 

I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  convey  to  Lieut.-Colonel  Cunningham, 
D.F.C.,  the  officers  and  men  of  the  65th  Wing,  R.A.F.,  an  expression 
of  my  appreciation  of  the  very  good  work  done  by  them  during  the  last 
month  whilst  cooperating  with  the  5th  Group. 

No.  211  Squadron  has  been  particularly  successful  in  their  daylight 
attacks  on  Bruges  Docks  and  Shipping,  and  17th  American  Squadron 
also  cooperated  in  the  low  bombing  attack  on  Varssenaere  aerodrome; 
in  addition  they  have  destroyed  a  lot  of  enemy  machines. 

(Sgd.)  A.  Boyle, 
C.  0.  s. 

for  Vice-Admiral. 

Major  Reid's  letter  gave  us  unusual  pleasure  because  the  pilots 
of  211  Squadron,  had  been  escorted  during  their  career  by  Bristols 
and  various  kinds  of  scouts,  and  were  famous  for  the  criticism  and 
"grousing"  they  had  always  leveled  at  the  squadrons  sent  over  to 
cover  their  bombing  operations.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  too  that, 
during  the  period  in  which  we  escorted  them,  not  a  machine  of 
theirs  was  lost  as  a  result  of  attack  by  enemy  aircraft. 

(  For  months  we  had  been  without  a  medical  officer,  when  sud- 
denly by  some  mysterious  vagary  of  the  administration  three  doc- 

26 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

tors,  each  with  a  force  of  medical  orderlies  complete,  descended 
upon  us.  It  was  an  embarrassment  of  riches.  How  choose  be- 
tween them  ?  One  was  an  elderly  gentleman  from  the  South  who 
wore  gold-rimmed  pince-nez  and  was  painfully  and  feverishly 
concerned  with  the  minutiae  of  the  orders  that  had  sent  him  trot- 
ting back  and  forth  over  the  face  of  France.  He  was  a  captain 
and  outranked  our  C.  O.,  so  it  was  obviously  inappropriate  for 
him  to  stay.  Lieut.  Jacob  J.  Ross,  M.  C,  or  R.  M.  C.  as  he  was 
then  and  would  have  preferred  to  remain,  was  assigned  in  his 
stead,  while  the  third  and  last  of  the  sons  of  ^Esculapius  to  arrive 
was  transferred  to  other  unknown  fields  of  activity. 

The  choice  was  our  great  good  fortune.  Doctor  Ross  had  seen 
much  of  college  athletics  from  the  inside.  He  had  long  experience 
and  his  enthusiasm  for  his  job  was  vivifying.  The  sanitation  of 
the  camp  was  improved  at  once,  although  to  do  so  was  not  an  easy 
matter.  He  left  no  stone  unturned  to  acquaint  himself  with  the 
medical  and  surgical  side  of  service  in  the  field,  but  very  especially 
he  studied  the  ailments,  diseases,  and  physical  condition  of  flying 
officers.  In  this  work  the  British  gave  him  every  opportunity  for 
study  and  he  was  quick  to  realize  how  large  a  part  temperament 
plays  in  a  pilot's  fitness  for  war  work.  He  had  a  keen  sense  of  the 
innate  difference  between  a  pilot  who  really  didn't  want  to  do  his 
job,  who  was  not  of  the  stuff  of  which  fighters  are  made,  and  the 
pilot  who,  however  courageous,  had  been  nervously  shaken  by  the 
tension  of  flying  and  fighting  over  the  lines. 

"Old  Doc,"  as  he  was  affectionately  called,  had  moreover  a 
hobby  that  venereal  disease  could  and  must  be  stamped  out,  as  a 
menace  not  only  to  the  men  themselves  but  to  the  success  of  our 
cause.  This  delicate  subject  he  approached  from  so  human  an 
angle  that  the  effect  of  his  presence  and  counsel  became  forthwith 
apparent.  He  was  big  and  strong  and  in  his  face  one  read  a  great 
sincerity.  His  interest  was  universal.  He  managed  the  flying 
officers  as  you  would  a  football  team  in  training,  and  the  enlisted 
men  as  you  would  the  students  of  a  technical  school.  In  his  free 
time  on  days  of  bad  weather  he  tried  to  see  as  much  as  he  could  of 
service  at  the  Front,  visiting  all  nearby  hospitals  and  clearing 
stations,  helping  the  British  with  "sick  call"  and  medical  atten- 

27 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

tion  in  neighboring  squadrons,  or  assisung  at  operations  through 
the  night  when  the  wounded  were  pouring  into  the  CCS.  near 
Doullens,  during  the  first  days  of  the  British  push.  In  his  una- 
bated zeal  for  informing  experience  he  was  so  often  in  quest  of 
transportation  on  rainy  days  that  he  became  known  as  the  first  of 
the  **tender-hounds." 

We  celebrated  the  Glorious  Fourth  with  a  baseball  game  be- 
tween the  148th  Aero  Squadron  and  ourselves.  The  French  doc- 
tors and  officers  of  Train  Sanitaire  2bisy  as  well  as  our  English 
friends,  were  invited.  During  the  struggle  a  foul-fly  caught  on 
the  head  and  bowled  over  Major  Robert  Lorraine,  who  was  at 
that  time  in  command  of  211  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  and  was  watch- 
ing the  game  from  the  "bleachers."  He  bobbed  up  again  smil- 
ing, never  having  lost  his  monocle — a  feat  that  apparently  drew 
this  comment  from  an  old  French  artillery  officer,  very  smart 
in  bright  baggy  trousers  and  scarlet  kepi,  who  had  been  eyeing  the 
play  quizzically  through  drooping  glasses:  "Mais,  c'est  tres  inter- 
essant!    Q3.  ressemble  beaucoup  a  tennis,  n'est-ce  pas?'' 

The  Squadron  Office  was  not  really  organized  in  a  thorough- 
going way  until  we  reassembled  at  Petite  Synthe.  It  had  then 
to  carry  on  the  voluminous  paper  work  of  a  British  fighting  squad- 
ron, as  well  as  the  paper  work  required  of  a  unit  in  the  American 
armies.  We  were  attached  for  the  latter  to  the  Second  Corps, 
which  had  its  Statistical  Office  at  Fruges.  Sgt.  Hayden  C 
Kellum,  and  Cpls.  Lamonte  P.  Koop  and  William  H.  Reed,  did 
devoted  work  in  this  branch  of  our  activity  and  helped  much  to 
make  records  and  operations  go  smoothly. 

The  weather  was  warm  and  hazy  on  August  first,  the  wind  Hght 
and  falHng.  The  first  patrol  of  nine  machines  left  at  eight  in  the 
morning  and  went  down  the  lines  east  of  La  Bassee.  There  they 
encountered,  at  nine  o'clock,  three  Fokker  triplanes  and  a  Fokker 
biplane.  The  latter  Lieut.  Robert  M.  Todd  attacked  at  between 
14,000  and  16,000  feet  and  sent  it  crashing  into  a  Httle  wood  near 
Provin.^ 

Thirty  minutes  later  they  came  upon  three  Fokker  biplanes 
and  one  Pfalz  scout,  between  Wytschaete  and  Hollebeke,   at 

^See  Combat  Report,  No.  2,  page  56. 

28 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

15,000  feet.  Ten  encounters  took  place  and  Lieut.  William  H. 
Shearman  drove  the  Pfalz  out  of  control,  while  Lieuts.  M.  K. 
Spidle  and  Ralph  D.  Gracie  each  drove  down  a  Fokker  biplane.^ 

In  this  fierce  and  wild  dog-fight  we  never  lost  the  upper  hand  for 
a  single  instant  and,  when  the  patrol  returned  and  the  pilots 
crowded,  all  excitement,  into  the  adjutant's  office,  filling  its  warm 
sunniness  with  the  icy  chill  of  the  upper  air  that  still  clung  to  their 
flying  clothes,  one  was  put  to  it,  for  a  moment,  to  disentangle  the 
tactics  of  the  battle  or  its  results  from  their  furious  colloquies,  one 
with  another,  in  which  emphatic  gestures  illustrated,  with  fantas- 
tic vividness,  side-slips,  rolls,  zooms,  stalls,  dives,  loops,  vertical 
banks,  and  all  the  tension  and  determination  and  lightning-quick 
reactions  of  imminent  danger  defied  and  overcome. 

Out  of  that  patrol  a  great  confidence  was  born.  The  news 
spread  like  wildfire  through  the  camp  and,  although  Todd  alone 
could  absolutely  claim  his  Hun,  we  knew  now  that  our  future  as 
a  fighting  unit  was  safe.  The  pilots  went  off  happy  to  their 
quarters,  full  of  eagerness  and  a  sense  of  power,  while  a  busy  tele- 
phone transmitted  the  news  to  the  Wing  and  rattling  typewriters, 
working  at  top  speed,  wrote  out  the  mosaic  of  significant  and  in- 
dispensable details  in  combat  reports.  With  these  the  orderlies 
then  flew  about  the  camp,  like  newsboys  rushing  out  some  extra 
about  an  earthquake,  looking  for  the  pilots  to  get  their  signatures. 

When  it  became  apparent  that  we  were  to  leave  the  65th  Wing, 
it  was  decided  to  give  a  dinner — a  "proper"  dinner — ^to  the  higher 
officers  under  whom  we  had  served  in  the  Royal  Air  Force.  Many 
of  the  pilots  who  had  flown  with  British  squadrons  invited  their 
old  C.  O.'s.  Letters  of  invitation  were  written  and  confided  to 
Wilcavage,  the  dispatch  rider,  who  took  a  prolonged  trip  of  con- 
stant riding  for  two  days  to  deliver  them.  Gen.  E.  R.  Ludlow- 
Hewitt,  D.  S.  O.,  M.  C,  loth  Brigade;  Lieut.  Col.  J.  A.  Cunning- 
ham, D.  F.  C,  C.  0. 65th  Wing;  Major  G.  R.  M.  Reid,  M.  C,  C.  O. 
211  Squadron;  Major  Bell,  M.  C,  D.  S.  O.,  C.  O.  210  Squadron; 
Major  R.  ColHshaw,  D.  S.  O.,  D.  S.  C,  D.  F.  C;  Major  C.  T. 
Maclaren,  C.  O.  206  Squadron;  Major  W.  S.  Douglas,  M.  C,  C.  O. 
84  Squadron;  Major  G.  R.  Howard,  D.  S.  O.,  CO.  18  Squadron; 

*See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  3, 4,  and  5,  pages  56  and  57. 

29 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  Col.  B.  F.  Moore,  C.  O.  i  A.  S.  D.  were  invited.  A  French 
chef  was  found  at  Dunkirk,  a  menu  prepared  after  much  debate, 
wines  bought  and  flags  of  the  AlHes,  and  the  whole  camp  Hcked  into 
top-notch  shape.  It  was  a  great  evening  and  on  the  morning  follow- 
ing— a  clear  fine  morning — ^we  "put  on"  what  was,  in  many  ways, 
one  of  the  most  spectacular  and  successful  enterprises  in  which 
the  squadron  took  part — the  Varssenaere  Aerodrome  "show." 

The  field  in  question,  which  was  situated  southwest  of  Bruges, 
was  of  great  extent  and  housed  not  less  than  five  squadrons  of 
Gothas  and  Fokkers.  Plans  for  attacking  it  in  great  force  and  by 
surprise  were  carefully  laid  and  contemplated  originally  the  co- 
operation of  four  Camel  squadrons — a  number  which  was  cut 
down  to  three,  when  the  148th  moved  out  of  the  65th  Wing.  The 
raid  was  finally  confided  to  and  carried  out  by  210  and  213  Squad- 
rons, R.  A.  F.,  and  the  17th  Aero  Squadron.  The  rendezvous  was 
to  be  over  the  sea,  and  the  machines,  after  they  had  assembled, 
were  to  fly  inland  and  attack  the  aerodrome  at  dawn  and  in  the 
order  given  above.  Each  machine  was  to  carry  four  20-lb.  Cooper 
bombs,  with  the  exception  of  the  flight  commanders'  which  were  to 
carry  phosphorus  bombs  to  be  dropped  on  or  near  the  machine 
gun  emplacements  that  guarded  the  aerodrome. 

A  practice  flight  over  the  British  aerodrome  at  Andembert, 
near  Calais,  was  made  some  days  before  the  date  set  for  the  real 
attack,  and  on  that  occasion  a  phosphorus  bomb  was  exploded 
in  the  air  over  Fort  Mardick,  between  Dunkirk  and  Gravelines, 
to  mark  the  rallying  point.  It  looked  like  a  huge  dense  white 
mushroom  hung  in  the  clear  blue  sky,  until  it  gradually  dissipated 
over  the  sea.  From  there  the  squadrons  proceeded  to  and  dived 
on  Andembert  aerodrome,  cHmbing  away  one  after  the  other  in 
strictest  predetermined  formation  to  avoid  collisions.  Colonel 
Cunningham,  Major  Fowler,  and  our  C.  O.  "sat|overhead  "  in  their 
Camels  to  superintend  and  criticise  this  preliminary  flight. 

After  several  postponements  due  to  bad  weather,  it  was  finally 
decided  to  attack  on  August  13th.  Before  it  was  light  the  17th 
left  our  field  in  formation  and  disappeared  in  the  pre-dawn  mist. 
Soon  afterwards  those  who  had  watched  them  go  saw  a  light  fired 
over  the  sea  and  knew  that  the  rendezvous  was  made.     Two  hours 

30 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

of  anxious  waiting  followed,  for  this  was  the  most  dangerous  job 
we  had  yet  undertaken.  The  Royal  Air  Force  Communique 
describes  the  attack  as  follows : 

A  raid  was  carried  out  by  No.  17  American  Squadron  on  Varssenaere 
Aerodrome,  in  conjunction  with  Squadrons  of  the  5th  Group.  After  the 
first  two  Squadrons  had  dropped  their  bombs  from  a  low  height,  ma- 
chines of  No.  17  American  Squadron  dived  to  within  200  feet  of  the 
ground  and  released  their  bombs,  then  proceeded  to  shoot  at  hangars 
and  huts  on  the  aerodrome,  and  a  chateau  on  the  N.E.  corner  of  the 
aerodrome  was  also  attacked  with  machine  gun  fire.  The  following 
damage  was  observed  to  be  caused  by  this  combined  operation:  a 
dump  of  petrol  and  oil  was  set  on  fire,  which  appeared  to  set  fire  to  an 
ammunition  dump;  six  Fokker  biplanes  were  set  on  fire  on  the  ground, 
and  two  destroyed  by  direct  hits  from  bombs;  one  large  Gotha  hangar 
was  set  on  fire  and  another  half  demolished;  a  living  hut  was  set  on  fire 
and  several  hangars  were  seen  to  be  smouldering  as  the  result  of  phos- 
phorus bombs  having  fallen  on  them.  In  spite  of  most  of  the  machines 
taking  part  being  hit  at  one  time  or  another,  all  returned  safely,  favour- 
able ground  targets  being  attacked  on  the  way  home. 

Colonel  Cunningham,  who  had  "gone  over"  with  our  squadron, 
was  the  first  to  return.  He  jumped  out  of  his  machine  and  said: 
"I  got  a  Hun!"  In  the  morning  haze  he  had  lost  the  formation 
but  found  an  enemy  two-seater  out  at  sea  and  had  shot  it  down 
near  the  beach. 

Then  one  by  one  the  pilots  came  back,  their  machines  badly 
shot  up,  but  they  themselves  safe  and  sound.  Everything  had 
worked  as  scheduled.  The  210th  and  213th  had  dropped  their 
bombs  and  had  climbed  away  and  circled  round  as  protection, 
while  our  pilots  went  down  and  finished  the  exploit  by  dropping 
bombs  on  the  chateau,  in  which  the  Hun  officers  lived,  the  hang- 
ars, the  men's  quarters,  and  the  workshops.  They  then  flew 
round  and  round  the  aerodrome  at  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet 
from  the  ground,  diving  on  and  shooting  at  machines  lined  up 
with  engines  "turning  over"  preparatory  to  "taking  oflF,"  as 
well  as  at  enemy  mechanics  and  pilots  scattered  about  the  field. 
Of  the  machines  on  the  ground  our  pilots  were  sure  that  they  had 
"got"  at  least  seven;  the  British  hovering  above  confirmed  the 

31 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

destruction  of  eight.  Months  later  a  captured  German  revealed 
the  fact  that  in  all  fourteen  had  been  put  out  of  action.  One  of 
2IO  Squadron's  pilots  on  his  return  reported  having  seen  Todd 
chase  a  German  flying  ofliicer  out  of  his  machine  and  around  a 
hangar  and  that  Todd  then  dodged  around  the  other  side  of  the 
hangar  and  cut  him  off.  What  damage  was  done  to  the  German 
personnel  could  never  be  accurately  determined,  but  reports 
came  in  from  Belgium,  when  the  Belgian  and  British  armies 
reached  the  vicinity  of  Bruges,  that  over  one  hundred  and  twenty 
soldier  mechanics  and  about  thirty  pilots  had  been  killed.^ 

The  destruction  of  Varssenaere  aerodrome  brought  us  im- 
mediate recognition  from  General  S almond  and  a  little  later 
a  telegram  of  warm  congratulation  from  the  Chief  of  the  American 
Air  Service  followed  by  this  letter: 

General  Headquarters  American  Expeditionary  Forces 
Office  of  the  Chief  Air  Service 

August  23,  1918. 
From :  Chief  Air  Service,  American  E.  F. 
To:  Major  H.  Fowler,  A.S. 
Subject:  Work  of  17th  Aero  Squadron. 

1.  This  office  is  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  August  i6th  enclosing  the 
details  of  the  work  of  the  17th  Aero  Squadron  on  August  13th  in  its 
attack  of  the  German  airdrome  at  Varssenaere.  Chief  of  Air  Service 
is  particularly  pleased  with  the  splendid  work  done  by  this  squadron 
on  the  date  mentioned.  It  shows  the  aggressiveness  and  working 
together  as  a  squadron,  which  we  are  endeavoring  to  obtain  for  all 
units  of  the  American  Air  Service. 

2.  I  have  furnished  a  copy  of  your  report  to  the  Intelligence  Section, 
General  Staff,  who  have  informed  me  that  they  were  greatly  pleased 
with  the  work  done  and  have  cabled  the  information  back  to  the  United 
States  for  publication. 

3.  Please  express  to  the  Squadron  Commander,  pilots  and  soldiers 
of  the  Squadron  the  appreciation  of  the  Chief  Air  Service  for  the  excel- 
lent work  performed  by  them. 

(Sgd.)    R.  O.  Van  Horn, 

Colonel,  A.S., 

Assistant,  C.A.S. 

For  and  in  the  absence  of  C.A.S. 
*See  report,  page  97. 

32 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

The  Germans  had  apparently  found  out  by  this  time  who  we 
were  and  where  we  lived,  and  they  paid  us  an  indirect  compH- 
ment — a  compliment  of  feeble  imitation — on  the  mastery  of  our 
attack.  A  week  after  the  raid  and,  as  it  happened,  two  days 
after  we  had  left  Petite  Synthe  (evidently  this  move  was  unknown 
to  them),  the  officers  and  men  of  211  Squadron  were  awakened 
just  at  dawn  by  rapid  repeated  rafales  of  machine  gun  fire  from 
the  air.  Some  of  them  ran  out  and,  behold  a  solitary  Fokker 
diving  and  then  zooming  and  diving  again  and  again,  firing  from 
close  to  the  ground  burst  after  vindictive  burst  into  our  empty 
shacks  and  hangars. 

But  Varssenaere  was  not  the  only  "high  point,"  during  the  pe- 
riod in  which  we  lived  at  Petite  Synthe  and  patrolled  the  Belgian 
Front,  from  Zeebrugge  to  the  northern  end  of  the  British  lines 
in  the  region  of  Mount  Kemmel  and  the  Forest  of  Nieppe.  The 
sector  was  one  on  which  Hun  scouts  were  wary,  and  yet  we  suc- 
ceeded in  shooting  down  nine  of  them,  confirmed,^  while  with  others 
we  had  many  a  scrap,  far  and  high  over  enemy  bases  of  supply, 
the  results  of  which  could  never — unfortunately  for  the  length  of 
the  string  of  our  victories — be  accurately  known. 

On  the  offensive  patrol  of  August  12th,  hangs  an  amusing  tale. 
It  was  a  day  when  some  fighting  of  the  fiercest  kind  took  place 
"Over  Ostend,"  after  we  had  escorted  211's  bombers  to  their 
perpetual  target — the  submarine  shelters,  marine  works,  and 
docks  at  Bruges.  These  encounters  have  not  been  recorded  in 
"Combat  Reports,"  but  in  the  melee  Lieut.  William  J.  Armstrong, 
Lieut.  Ralph  W.  Snoke,  and  Lieut.  Harriss  P.  Alderman,  or  more 
famiHarly  "Aldy,"  were  wounded.  They  were  sent  to  Queen 
Alexandra  Hospital,  which  stood  not  far  from  our  aerodrome, 
near  the  little  French  fort  from  which  Archy  fired  sometimes 
as  many  as  six  hundred  rounds  a  night  at  the  relays  of  Gothas 
that  vv^ent  overhead  on  their  way  to  Dunkirk  or  Calais.  Arm- 
strong's wound  was  rather  serious.  He  had  had  just  strength 
enough  to  get  back  to  the  field  where  he  "sat  down"  all  too  vi- 
olently, with  the  wind  behind  him,  on  the  back  of  a  standing  D.H. 
9.     That  did  not  improve  his  condition.     Aldy's  "missive"  from 

^See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,  and  16,  pages  58-66. 

33 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

the  Hun  had  come  through  his  petrol  tank  from  which  it  went 
on,  as  he  put  it,  to  "where  he  sat."  The  flood  of  petrol  that 
instantly  covered  him  convinced  him  that  he  was  mortally 
wounded,  but  he  hung  on  gamely  and  succeeded  in  gliding 
west,  making  the  beach  a  mile  beyond  Nieuport,  on  our  side  of 
things.  We  did  not  hear  from  him  for  some  time,  for  the  Belgians 
"captured"  him  as  a  suspicious  character.  Lieut.  Robert  M. 
Todd,  when  he  cHmbed  out  of  his  machine,  said  he  beUeved  Aldy 
had  gone  down  into  the  sea  and  he  told  the  tale  that  way  to  Army. 
Army  felt  a  deep  responsibility;  he  had  been  flight  leader  in  this 
show  and,  when  later  Aldy  was  brought  in  from  the  operating 
room,  just  as  Armstrong  was  coming  out  of  the  ether,  the  latter 
did  not  know  whether  both  were  alive  or  both  dead.  His  mind 
was  back  in  the  scrap,  and  the  consciousness  of  the  sportsmanship 
they  looked  for  from  one  another  was  strong  upon  him.  Over 
his  bed  some  flies  hung  in  the  air.  He  took  them  for  Fokkers 
sailing  about  high,  high  up.  The  nurse  tried  to  calm  him:  "They 
are  only  flies,"  she  said.  But  he,  unpersuaded,  reached  out  his 
hand  and  clutched  an  imaginary  stick  while,  working  it  around 
in  front  of  him  and  throwing  himself  about  on  the  bed,  as  in  ver- 
tical banks,  half  rolls,  and  zooms,  with  his  eyes  glued  on  the  flies,  he 

drawled :  "  Come  on,  Aldy !    There  they  are,  up  there,  the 

dogs.  But  they  won't  come  down  and  fight;  they  won't  come 
down!     Stick  with  me,  Aldy;  we'll  show  them  where  we're  from. 

We'll  crash  the  last one  of  them."     So  he  manoeuvred 

and  manoeuvred  about  on  his  bed  vainly  trying  to  get  on  the  tail 
of  one  of  those  flies. 

The  next  day,  after  much  bustle  and  fuss  of  orderlies  and  nurses 
to  get  the  hospital  into  fitting  shape.  His  Majesty,  King  George, 
arrived  to  inspect  it.  Aldy  and  Army  knew,  as  they  lay  there, 
something  of  the  suspense  that  must  precede  being  given  a  V.C., 
though  they  did  not  kid  themselves  with  visions  of  such  heights. 
The  King  came  down  their  ward,  very  simply,  with  a  word  for 
every  wounded  man — an  expression  of  interest,  a  touch  of  sym- 
pathy. When  he  reached  Snoke,  he  said:  "Ah,  some  Americans! 
I  hqpe  you  are  quite  all  right.  I  see  you  were  wounded  in  the 
head."    And  then  to  Army:  "How  are  you,  and  where  were  you 

34 


THE  DUNKIRK  FRONT 

wounded?"  "In  the  back  and  arm,  Your  Majesty."  Finally 
he  reached  Aldy  with:  "Ah,  another!  And  where  were  you 
wounded?"  Aldy  had  a  terrible  moment  of  self-consciousness, 
but  his  quick-witted  reply  was:  "Over  Ostend,  Your  Majesty." 
The  King  understood.  A  smile  of  delighted  amusement  crept 
over  his  face  and  spread  to  the  faces  of  the  officers  of  his  suite. 
Aldy's  wound  became,  from  that  moment,  as  it  were,  a  public 
possession,  and  its  exact  location  was  always  thereafter  described 
in  polite  society — for  had  not  a  king  understood? — ^as  "Over 
Ostend." 


35 


HamUtan  gets  a  balloon 


CHAPTER  III 

The  Beginning  of  the  British  Drive  for  Cambrai. 
Our  Auxi-le-Chateau  Period 

ON  AUGUST  1 8th  we  were  ordered  to  move  to  Auxi-Ie- 
Chateau.  Word  came  at  ii  o'clock  at  night,  while  the 
Hun  was  overhead,  and  we  were  ready  to  pull  out  at 
dawn.  We  arrived  the  next  day,  covered  with  the  deep  white 
dust  of  the  road  from  Dunkirk,  through  St.  Omer,  Fruges,  and 
Hesdin.  At  the  entrance  of  our  new  field.  Brig.  Gen.  C.  A.  H. 
Longcroft,  D.S.O.,  Col.  P.  H.  L.  Playfair,  M.C.,  O.C.  3rd  Bri- 
gade, R.A.F.,  and  a  number  of  other  staff  officers  were  waiting 
to  welcome  us — a  courtesy  we  shall  not  soon  forget. 

At  Auxi  our  aerodrome  was  delightfully  situated.  It  lay  on 
rising  ground,  to  the  southeast  of  the  town,  on  the  old  Auxi-le- 
Chateau-Crecy  Road.  The  officers'  tents,  well  dug  in,  were  pep- 
pered down  a  slope  under  the  edge  of  a  little  forest  of  small  trees 
where  owls  hooted  at  night  and  in  which  later  the  CO.  had  his 
hut. 

On  the  first  patrol  we  sent  over  the  lines  (August  21st)  from 
Auxi,  Lieutenant  Showalter  drove  down  one  enemy  machine, 
and  on  the  afternoon  show.  Lieutenants  Tipton  and  Campbell 
each  drove  down  one.  Lieutenant  WilHams  drove  down  two  out 
of  control,  and  Lieutenant  Hamilton  destroyed  another.^ 

The  push  was  now  on  that  began  at  Chateau  Thierry,  and 
we  were  called  upon  to  make  a  continuous  and  extraordinary 
effort  in  those  momentous  hours.  Low  bombing  and  machine 
gun  attacks  on  balloons  and  infantry  were  the  order  of  the  day, 
and  we  sent  out  two  machines  at  a  time  all  day  long,  from  dawn 
to  dark. 

On  one  of  these  bombing  shows  (August  23  rd)^  there  was  an 

»See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  and  23,  pages  66-70. 
'See  Bombing  Report,  No.  2,  page  99. 

37 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

incident — among  many  more  or  less  dramatic  of  the  same  kind 
that  it  would  require  pages  to  chronicle — ^which  was  always  known 
among  us  as  "Williams'  Show."  The  R.A.F.  thought  it  worthy 
of  being  recorded  as  follows  in  their  official  communique: 

Lieutenant  Williams,  17th  American  Squadron,  was  shot  in  the  back 
and  his  petrol  tank  pierced  by  machine  gun  fire.  In  spite  of  his  wound 
he  came  back  with  his  finger  stopping  the  hole  in  the  petrol  tank  and 
landed  successfully  after  having  engaged  transport  from  a  height  of 
100  feet. 

During  the  next  four  days  we  shot  down  a  balloon  a  day,  with 
the  exception  of  the  23  rd  when  we  put  on  low  bombing  shows 
exclusively.^  It  was  on  one  of  these  expeditions  that  Lieutenant 
Hamilton,  one  of  the  most  fearless  and  expert  pilots  we  ever  had, 
was  shot  down  from  the  ground  just  as  he  was  zooming  away 
from  the  "sausage"  he  had  set  on  fire — his  second  in  two  days. 

It  was  the  nature  of  the  fighting  on  the  ground,  while  the  Hun 
was  going  back,  that  worked  so  complete  a  change  in  our  opera- 
tions. The  Air  Force  of  the  enemy  was  largely  concentrated  in 
the  vicinity  of  Cambrai,  but  the  congestion  on  the  roads  behind 
his  lines  gave  us  an  opportunity  of  doing  greater  damage  to  his 
morale  and  material  by  attacks  on  moving  infantry  and  trans- 
port, than  we  could  ever  have  accomphshed  by  devoting  all  our 
attention  to  his  scouts.  The  latter,  for  the  most  part,  flew  in 
very  large  flocks  and,  except  for  salHes  from  time  to  time  against 
small  detached  flights  of  Allied  machines,  they  waged  a  defensive 
off"ensive.  It  was  but  natural,  however,  that  they  should  make 
low-bombing  and  machine  gun  attacks  on  ground  targets  hazard- 
ous in  the  extreme.  That  was  no  doubt  part  of  their  business. 
In  other  words  they  were  there,  but  we,  when  carrying  out  such 
machine  gun  attacks  and  especially  when  loaded  with  bombs  and 
flying  a  height  of  a  few  hundred  feet,  had  few  chances  to  attack 
and  "get"  them.^  We  depended  upon  other  squadrons  patrolling 
higher  up,  at  various  levels,  to  look  out  for  Fokkers,  while  we  did  a 


*See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  22,  24,  and  28,  pages  69,  71,  and  73. 

se  C 

38 


'For  other  encounters  of  this  period,  see  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  25,  26,  27,  and  29, 
pages  71-74. 


OUR  auxi-le-chAteau  period 

job  that  cost  us  casualties  and  doubtless  too  a  certain  quota  of 
what  would  have  been  our  legitimate  toll  of  Huns  during  these 
furious  days.  In  many  ways,  on  the  other  hand,  "ground- 
straffing"  is  a  severer  test  than  most  fighting  of  a  pilot's  stamina 
and  skill  and  of  the  rigging  and  fitting  of  his  machine.  Perhaps 
too  this  work  of  ours  helped  more  to  bring  the  end  of  the  war  a 
little  nearer  than  if  we  had  shot  down  many  enemy  scouts  in  that 
first  week.  From  Intelligence  we  knew  that  our  attacks  did 
much  to  shatter  the  German  soldier's  faith  in  his  own  airmen. 
At  all  events  we  came  down  on  the  Hun  without  cessation,  as  he 
retired  in  the  direction  of  Cambrai,  shooting  up  his  convoys  that 
became  a  wild  confusion  of  broken  lorries  and  runaway  horses, 
and  scattering  his  infantry  from  the  roads  into  the  fields,  inflicting 
on  them  many  casualties.^  From  the  ground  over  which  our 
pilots  buzzed  the  Hun  sent  up  all  manner  of  "stuff"  from  Archy 
to  pom-poms  and  a  hail  of  machine  gun  fire.  But  no  feat  was 
too  daring  for  them,  and  their  extremely  manoeuvrable  machines 
made  their  work  only  the  more  spectacular. 

It  was  on  one  of  these  raids  that  George  Wise  disappeared. 
His  engine  failed  and  he  was  made  prisoner.  Merton  Campbell 
too  was  "missing"  on  the  23rd,  and  when  the  Boche  had  gone 
back  beyond  Thiepval  and  Contalmaison  we  found  his  grave. 
He  had  landed,  upside  down,  in  that  broad  belt  of  shell-torn  coun- 
try where  there  is  not  a  yard  not  shattered  by  heavy  explosive. 
His  grave  was  a  low  soft  mound  beside  his  crashed  machine.  On 
it  the  usual  inverted  bottle,  stuck  in  the  mud,  contained  an  en- 
velope, blood-soaked  and  bearing  his  name.  We  made  a  cross  of 
a  broken  four-bladed  "prop"  of  fine  mahogany  that  we  got  from 
salvage,  and  engraved  a  nameplate  on  a  copper  disk.  We  took 
it  up  past  wrecked  villages  and  then  more  wrecked  villages,  into 
the  old  No  Man's  Land  of  some  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  the  war. 
At  the  head  of  his  grave  without  ceremony  we  set  it  up.  He  lies 
there,  one  of  our  stoutest,  by  a  file  of  tree  trunks  smashed  and 
stripped  and  grotesquely  rigid  against  the  sun,  under  a  little  slope 
of  ground  rising  toward  the  east  that  has  been  blasted  into  dust 
by  months  of  artillery  fire. 
*See  Bombing  Reports,  Nos.  i,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,  8,  and  9,  pages  98-106. 

39 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUARDON 

Both  Hamihon  and  Campbell  were  at  once  awarded  the  Dis- 
tinguished Flying  Cross  by  the  British  and  their  people  notified. 

The  twenty-sixth  of  August  was  our  most  tragic  day.  It  had 
rained  in  the  night  and  a  gusty  wind  had  begun  to  blow  at  dawn, 
getting  stronger  and  gustier  as  the  day  advanced.  Low  clouds, 
with  gaps  of  blue  between  them,  streamed  thickly  up  from  the 
southwest  over  the  rolling  hills  beyond  the  aerodrome.  Our 
Besseneaux  hangars  bulged  up  and  flapped;  our  tents  were  all 
swollen  on  one  side  and  lean  and  caved  in,  against  the  wind,  on 
the  other;  the  aeroplane  fabric  that  covered  the  holes  we  called 
our  windows,  in  the  Squadron  Office  shack,  were  bellied  and  tense; 
the  little  wood  was  full  of  the  noise  of  the  wind.  It  was  blowing 
in  fits  at  seventy  or  eighty  miles  an  hour. 

At  four  thirty  in  the  afternoon  the  Colonel  rang  up  and  said 
that  there  were  a  lot  of  Huns  about  on  the  lines  and  that  some  of 
our  "low-strafFers"  were  in  trouble  on  the  Bapaume-Cambrai 
Road. 

Tipton,  who  was  called  upon  to  lead  the  patrol,  had  been  moody 
and  silent  ever  since  Hamilton  had  "gone  West"  (August  24th). 
He  sat  in  the  Mess  all  day  long  and  played  the  gramophone  to 
himself,  holding  his  big,  slightly  bald,  blond  head  in  his  hands,  a 
dead  cigar  in  the  corner  of  his  mouth.  He  was  **  fed-up."  He  did 
nothing  but  stare  into  the  gramophone,  while  it  wheezed  and 
growled  and  squeaked  out  "Old  Bill  Bailey,"  "The  Mississippi 
Volunteers,"  or  "Poor  Butterfly." 

"Tip"  got  the  patrol  away  in  good  style  and  they  disappeared — 
eleven  of  them — over  the  trees.  One  machine  returned  before 
long  with  engine  trouble,  then  another  with  guns  jammed.  Two 
hours  passed.  Then  Goodie  and  Snoke  arrived.  Some  of  us 
will  never  forget  the  look  in  Goodie's  light  blue  eyes,  as  he  stood 
in  the  dusk,  with  his  back  against  the  door  between  the  Squadron 
Office  and  the  Pilots'  Room.  There  was  a  huge  map  of  the 
Third  British  Army  front  on  the  wall  behind  him.  He  pointed 
out  where  "it"  happened,  and  slowly,  bit  by  bit,  from  him  and 
Snoke  we  got  the  story^  while  he  continued  to  stare,  seeing  us 
only  a  little,  at  the  fight  that  was  stamped  almost  visible  on  his 

^See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  30,  31,  32,  and  33,  pages  74-77. 

40 


OUR  AUXI-LE-CHATEAU  PERIOD 

eyes.  He  and  "Snokie"  seemed  horrified  and  crest-fallen — all 
broken  up — to  be  standing  there,  though  each  of  them  had  put  up  a 
wonderful  show,  when  Tip  and  Todd  and  Frost  and  Jackson  and 
Bittinger  and  Roberts  had  not  returned.  Dixon  too  was  missing; 
but  after  a  long  wait,  in  which  we  gave  him  up  as  lost,  he  came 
"hedge-hopping''  over  the  trees,  having  been  driven  down  almost 
to  the  ground  and  having  lost  his  way  in  the  driving  mist  and 
high  wind. 

What  really  happened  was  this.  Their  mission,  as  we  have  said, 
was  to  cover  low  bombing  operations,  as  it  turned  out,  of  the  148th 
Aero  Squadron.  On  crossing  the  lines  five  Fokkers  were  no- 
ticed climbing  east  of  Queant  at  about  five  o'clock.  Immedi- 
ately afterward  the  five  Fokkers  in  question  were  seen  to  attack  a 
Camel  at  a  height  of  about  1,000  feet.  The  patrol  at  once  went 
down  to  the  assistance  of  the  Camel  (afterward  identified  as 
that  of  Lieut.  George  Seibold  of  the  148th  Squadron)  and  attacked 
the  enemy  machines.  Several  other  flights  of  Fokkers  were 
then  observed  coming  down  through  rifts  in  the  clouds  from 
6,000  feet.  The  wind  was  blowing  furiously  into  Hunland.  A 
general  engagement  took  place  in  which  still  other  flights  of  Fok- 
kers came  down  from  higher  up.  In  addition  to  the  Combat 
Reports  referred  to,  Lieutenant  Dixon  fired  indecisively  at  a 
number  of  other  enemy  machines,  as  did  Lieutenants  Goodnow 
and  Snoke.  The  latter's  Camel  was  riddled  with  machine-gun 
fire  and  he  only  just  succeeded  in  getting  back  to  the  aerodrome, 
pursued  over  the  lines  by  a  number  of  Fokkers  sitting  on  his  tail 
and  firing  without  let-up. 

That  was  our  worst  day.  Jackson  had  got  his  permission  to 
cross  the  lines  only  a  day  or  two  before,  and  Roberts  had  returned 
from  hospital  within  the  preceding  twenty-four  hours.  We  gave 
them  all  up  for  lost,  but  more  than  a  month  later  a  post  card  came 
through  the  Aviation  Officer  in  London  from  Tipton.  He  seemed 
chiefly  concerned  to  know  what  had  become  of  the  much-prized 
Hun  rifle  that  he  had  found  on  one  of  his  expeditions  to  the  front 
lines.  He  remarked  however,  en  passant,  that  in  going  down  he 
had  got  two  Huns  and  that  Todd,  before  he  landed,  had  added 
another  to  his  string.     He,  Todd,   and   Frost  were  prisoners. 

41 


I  HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Bittinger  has  also  been  reported  a  prisoner  from  other  sources, 
but  the  exact  circumstances  of  his  fate  still  remain  obscure. 
The  Mess  had  an  undercurrent  that  night  that  it  seldom  had. 
But  on  the  surface  we  still  carried  on  without  any  false  pride  in 
our  stiff  upper  lip.  It  was  a  hard  blow — two  flight  commanders 
and  eight  pilots  within  a  week.  We  consoled  ourselves  with  the 
thought  that  they  had  done  more  damage  than  we  had  received. 
That  was  something,  and  that  was  the  spirit  with  which  we  and 
the  British  fought. 

For  about  a  week  the  British  wisely  kept  us  out  of  the 
fray.  New  busses  arrived.  New  pilots  were  assigned,  notably 
Lieut.  George  A.  Vaughn  who  had  been  doing  fine  work  with  84 
Squadron,  R.A.F.  He  was  placed  in  command  of  "B"  flight. 
Lieut.  William  T.  Clements  came  from  the  148th  Aero  Squadron 
as  flight  commander  of  "C"  flight. 

What  we  felt,  in  the  weeks  that  followed,  to  be  our  chief  reason 
for  pride — and  to  some  of  us  it  was  a  matter  of  astonishment — 
was  that  in  spite  of  the  naturally  sobering  effect  of  such  a  day,  we 
could  have  defied  the  most  critical  eye  to  discern  any  abatement 
in  the  impetuosity  of  our  flights'  attacks,  any  relaxation  in  their 

}  unfaltering  audacity  and  devotion  to  their  duty  of  "doing  in'* 

the  Hun  or,  day  by  day,  helping  in  large  and  larger  measure 
to  chase  him  from  the  skies.  We  carried  the  battle  far  over  the 
enemy  lines.  We  did  not  penetrate  now  as  far,  of  course,  as  we 
had  on  certain  patrols  from  Dunkirk  when  we  operated  more 

I  than  thirty  miles  over  in  hostile  territory.     This  latter  feat — in 

*  itself  no  mean  achievement  for  scout  machines  equipped  with  ro- 

tary motors — could  not  be  repeated  on  the  front  of  the  greatest 
battles  of  the  war  where  the  enemy  had  thrown  in  prodigally  his 
best  and  largest  "circuses."     In  other  words,  in  the  face  of  any 

.  losses  we  sustained,  the  pilots  kept  intact  or,  in  some  cases,  in- 

I  creased  the  intensity  of  their  offensive  spirit. 

Life  went  on  at  Auxi.  On  "dud"  days  we  sent  to  Abbeville 
and  Boulogne  for  little  luxuries  for  the  Mess.  We  improvised  a 
band  out  of  old  shell-cases  on  which  Vaughn  used  to  beat  out  hur- 
rying rhythms  of  "Coon  Songs"  and  "Turkey  Trots."     We  sent 

i  Aldy — he  of  the  soft  southern  drawl  and  sometimes  amusingly 

'  42 


OUR  AUXI-LE-CHATEAU  PERIOD 

pointed  speech — to  buy  a  piano.  He  was  gone  all  a  long  day  of 
rain  and  mud,  and  came  back  after  nightfall  with  a  strange  instru- 
ment of  carved  mahogany  bearing  conspicuously  the  date:  1856. 
At  dinner  he  was  very  much  kidded  about  his  exploit,  since 
he  had  been  assured  by  his  Frenchman  that  the  carved  mahogany 
box  was  perfectly  in  tune,  its  action  perfect,  and  that  it  was  a  bar- 
gain at  four  hundred  francs — this  although  every  other  key 
stayed  "put"  when  struck  and  even  the  "Mississippi  Volunteers" 
died  away  on  it,  after  the  first  ten  bars,  into  fragmentary  notes 
that  just  survived  amid  the  tumultuous  rattle  of  shell-case  and 
bottle  traps,  the  blare  of  Schneider  on  a  cornet,  and  the  moan  of  a 
saxophone  as  the  CO.  played  it  extemporaneously.  But  all 
things  are  possible  in  an  aero  squadron.  The  piano — the  great 
virtue  of  which  Aldy  afterward  claimed  was  its  portability, 
feeling  perhaps  that  if  he  had  not  been  a  good  mark  for  the  Hun 
as  he  threw  his  bus  around  in  the  sky,  he  had  been  "touched" 
by  one  Frenchman,  whom  he  had  made  rich  beyond  all  expecta- 
tion with  his  shower  of  American  gold — the  piano,  our  piano,  was 
overhauled  and  made  serviceable.  Later  we  matched  87  Squad- 
ron, R.A.F.,  "doubles  or  nothing"  for  it  and  recovered  two  hun- 
dred francs. 

While  we  were  operating  from  the  Auxi  aerodrome,  often  in 
conjunction  with  the  148th  Squadron,  the  line  moved  east  rapidly 
and  it  was  necessary  for  us  to  estabHsh  at  Beugnatre,  near  Ba- 
paume,  an  advanced  landing  ground  from  which  we  took  up  wire- 
less interception  and  devoted  ourselves  to  attacking  enemy  two- 
seaters.  A  detail  of  mechanics,  accompanied  by  a  medical 
orderly,  was  sent  forward  and  hangars  erected.  This  site  was 
that  of  an  old  British  aerodrome,  afterwards  in  the  possession  of 
the  Hun.  The  trees  were  smashed,  the  numerous  rusty  Nissen 
huts  that  Hned  the  road  riddled  and  torn  and  caved  in,  the  aero- 
drome a  mass  of  shell  holes  (among  which  the  R.E.S's,  that  shared 
it  with  us,  landed  on  their  first  day  out  there),  the  quarters  an 
unrecognizable  heap  of  splinters,  the  road  almost  impassable. 
The  Hun  had  constructed  deep  dugouts  and,  out  of  scraps  of  old 
sheet  iron  he  had  left  about,  quarters  were  erected  and  in  them 
wireless  apparatus  established.     The  shell  holes  too  were  filled  in. 

43 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

We  kept  a  flight  of  machines  there,  from  dawn  to  dusk,  from 
September  loth  to  September  20th.  The  men  and  officers  who 
went  up  to  Beugnatre  on  special  duty  came  back  to  camp  with  a 
most  marvellous  collection  of  souvenirs.^ 

^For  other  engagements  of  this  period,  see  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  34,  35,  36,  and  37, 
pages  77-79. 


44 


CHAPTER  IV 

The  British  Break  the  Cambrai  Front. 
Our  Sombrin  Period 

ON  SEPTEMBER  20th  we  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Son- 
camp  aerodrome,  near  Doullens,  which  was  being  vacated 
by  No.  12  Corps  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  of  R.E.8's.  Eighty- 
seven  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  a  Dolphin  unit  commanded  by  Major 
C.  J.  W.  Darwin,  D.S.O.,  was  moving  to  the  same  field  on  the 
same  day.  It  was  cold  and  rainy  and  the  clouds  low  and  broken. 
The  machines  got  away  and  the  transport;  stores  and  barrack 
bags,  shops  and  officers'  kits  were  packed,  the  camp  at  Auxi  poHced 
and  we  started. 

Soncamp  aerodrome  is  not  far  from  the  little  town  of  Sombrin 
that  lies  rather  scattered  and  nondescript — a  typical  French  farm- 
ing village — on  the  road  through  Grand  RuUecourt  to  Frevent. 
It  occupies — the  aerodrome — the  north  side  of  a  farm  the  house 
of  which,  enclosed  in  a  large  gray  stone  wall,  suggests  some  relic 
of  a  small  convent — an  impression  that  the  high  archway  into  the 
great  square  farmyard  strengthens.  The  hangars  were  per- 
manent and  of  camouflaged  corrugated  iron.  There  were  good 
Adrian  huts  as  barracks  for  the  enhsted  men,  and  we  pitched  our 
officers'  tents  and  the  two  marquees  that  were  to  be  the  Mess 
in  a  triangle  of  pasture,  beside  a  growth  of  underbrush,  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  camp.  To  this  end  we  also  moved  the  old 
wooden  shack  that  we  made  into  a  very  comfortable  Squadron 
Office,  C.O.'s  office,  and  pilots'  room.  Soon  it  was  full  of  docu- 
ment files,  maps,  clicking  typewriters,  and  miniature  Hun  aero- 
planes. 

The  mud  in  this  camp  was  omnipresent  and  deep.  We  waded 
through  it  constantly,  for  the  hangars  were  divided  between  87 
Squadron  and  ourselves,  and  our  Supply  Office,  men's  mess,  men's 
quarters,  and  recreation  hut,  as  well  as  our  transport,  armory, 

45 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

petrol  and  ammunition  dumps,  were  at  the  entrance  of  the  aero- 
drome, entirely  separated  from  the  Squadron  Office.  On  the 
day  we  moved  in,  the  little  by-road  behind  the  hangars  was 
blocked  by  a  couple  of  lorries  sunk  deep  in  the  mud  that  only 
unloading  and  many  efforts  succeeded  in  dislodging. 

At  Soncamp  it  poured  off  and  on  much  of  the  time,  and  we  slept 
in  the  damp  and  lived  in  the  damp  until  a  bright  idea  came  to  us. 
EUison,  who  was  resting  after  having  "crashed"  just  inside  of  our 
Hnes  with  all  controls  shot  away  and  three  Fokkers  on  his  tail 
peppering  him  everywhere  but  in  the  vital  spot,  carried  it  out 
with  the  help  of  others  who  turned  to  with  the  zest  of  men  chilled 
to  the  bone.  They  built  a  fireplace,  out  of  old  red  petrol  tins 
filled  with  mud,  in  the  side  flap  of  one  of  the  marquees.  The 
smoke  of  the  fire  made  its  way  chiefly,  not  up  the  elaborately  cal- 
culated chimney  of  superimposed  oil  drums  with  their  heads 
knocked  out,  but  into  the  marquee  itself  where  coughing,  tearful 
forms  moved  about  as  in  a  mist.  Yet  that  too  was  cured  and  the 
"Band"  beat  out  "'N  Everything"  with  new  ardour,  while 
"Smoke  'em  out"  and  "Rummy"  held  sway  on  nights  of  drench- 
ing rain. 

The  trials  and  tribulations  of  the  Mess  Officer,  Lieutenant 
Ayers,  grew  apace  at  Sombrin,  for  we  were  far  from  base  supply 
depots  which  were,  in  fact,  fast  shutting  up  shop  to  follow  the  great 
advance  of  General  Byng's  army,  and  far  too  from  the  depots  of 
the  Front  that  constantly  moved  away  after  the  retreating  Hun. 
"Grousing"  made  itself  heard.  Finally  to  help  out.  Lieutenant 
Giesecke,  commonly  known  as  "Gesooks,"  stepped  into  the  breach. 
Among  other  innovations  for  our  comfort,  he  contrived  a  toaster 
made  of  wire  net  and  an  unserviceable  blowpipe,  and  was  thereafter 
called  "O.  C.  Toast." 

We  opened  the  Soncamp  chapter  with  a  flourish  on  September 
22nd.  While  on  the  morning  patrol.  Lieutenant  Vaughn  saw 
fifteen  Fokkers  dive,  as  he  thought,  on  our  "C"  flight  formation 
from  15,000  feet.  Though  outnumbered  nearly  five  to  one,  he  led 
his  flight  impetuously  to  the  attack  and,  in  the  midst  of  furious 
and  numerous  "bursts"  fired  by  all  our  pilots,  the  results  of  which 
could  not  be  observed  because  of  the  bewildering  intensity  of  the 

46 


OUR  SOMBRIN  PERIOD 

engagement,  he  shot  down  one  Fokker  in  flames  and  crashed  an- 
other, while  Lieutenants  Wicks  and  Knotts  accounted  for  two 
more.  In  all  over  thirty  enemy  machines  were  engaged  on  this 
patrol  alone.^ 

Lieut.  Theose  E.  Tillinghast,  whose  health  at  the  time  was  so 
frail  that  he  was  constantly  dodging  the  doctor  and  whose  veins 
were  blue  under  the  thin  skin  of  his  temples,  yet  who  would  never 
give  up  flying  and  fighting,  was  missing  from  this  scrap.  He 
afterward  turned  up  in  London,  with  a  most  amusing  tale  to  tell 
of  how  he  escaped  through  a  hole  in  the  roof  of  the  house  **they'' 
had  locked  him  up  in,  made  his  way  from  Valenciennes  to  Bel- 
gium, where  he  got  a  suit  of  civilian  clothes,  and  was  passed  from 
Belgian  home  to  Belgian  home  at  night,  as  it  were  by  schedule,  on 
a  regular  underground  railway.  Finally  he  reached  Brussels 
where  he  moved  about  the  streets  freely,  greatly  enjoying  him- 
self and  his  precarious  situation.  He  even  went  to  the  length,  it 
seems,  of  taking  a  trolley  ride  to  a  neighboring  German  aero- 
drome which  he  inspected  carefully  and  at  length.  There,  or  in 
Brussels,  he  became  fast  friends  with  a  most  opportune  person — 
the  Belgian  engineer  who  ran  the  electric  plant  from  which  the 
current  for  charging  the  frontier  wire  barrier  was  drawn.  The 
latter  amiably  let  him  into  all  his  official  secrets  with  regard  to 
which  wires  were  charged  and  which  not,  suppHed  him  with  rub- 
ber gloves  and  a  pair  of  nippers  and,  having  set  the  hour  for  his 
crossing  over,  gave  him  final  formal  instructions  about  making 
good  his  escape.  This  "Tilly,"  as  we  called  Tillinghast,  did  to 
his  own  immense  satisfaction. 

From  this  patrol  Lieut.  Gerald  P.  Thomas  also  failed  to  return. 
We  missed  from  the  Mess,  more  than  we  admitted  to  ourselves, 
** Tommy's"  quiet  manner,  his  boyish  clean  simphcity,  his  steady 
blue  eyes  and  bright  blond  hair.  Often,  very  often,  one  heard  his 
name  spoken.  He  had  never  thrust  himself  forward,  but  had  done 
his  job  unostentatiously  and  simply.  Almost  without  our  re- 
alizing it  he  had  made  a  deep  dent  in  our  memory. 

September  22nd  is,  in  yet  another  sense,  one  of  our  days.  The 
order  conferring  on  Vaughn  the  Distinguished  Flying  Cross,  for 

^See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  38,  39,  40,  41,  and  42,  pages  80-83. 

47 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

which  on  that  very  22nd  he  had  again  so  valorously  shown  his 
especial  worthiness,  bears,  as  it  were  by  a  strange  coincidence, 
that  date.     Here  is  the  order: 

Routine  Orders 

by 

General  F.  M.  H.  S.  Rawlinson,  Bart., 

G.O.V.O.,  K.C.B.,  K.C.M.G. 

Commanding  Fourth  Army 

September  22,   191 8. 

Military  Secretary's  Branch 

2533    (a).     Immediate  Rewards   (a).     Under  authority  delegated   by 

His  Majesty  the  King,  the  Field  Marshal  Commanding-in-Chief  has 

made  the  following  awards  for  gallantry  and  devotion  to  duty  in  action : 

The  Distinguished  Flying  Cross. 
Lieutenant  G.  A.  Vaughn,  United  States  Air  Force,  attached  Royal 
Air  Force 

H.  C.  HoLMAN,  Major-General, 

D.A.  and  Q.M.G.,  Fourth  Army. 

Later,  and  for  no  less  reason,  Burdick  and  Knotts  were  simi- 
larly decorated  by  the  British. 

Dud  weather  now  set  in  with  a  vengeance.  But  the  offen- 
sive went  on.  The  line  changed  from  day  to  day.  Those  were 
the  days  of  the  great  battles,  on  the  Third  Army  Front,  for  the 
Canal  du  Nord,  the  Hindenburg  Line,  the  Canal  de  TEscaut,  and 
Cambrai.  As  the  Boche  retreated,  even  through  cloud  and  rain, 
we  bombed  his  transport  and  troop  concentrations  in  the  sunken 
roads  near  Esnes  and  Estourmel.  Of  Awoingt  station,  or  "Up 
Wink"  as  the  pilots  called  it,  we  made  a  special  target  and 
touched  off  its  munition  dumps.^ 

Two  days  after  our  arrival  at  our  new  station  Lieutenant  Knotts 
took  a  new  pilot,  Lieut.  Edgar  G.  White,  out  to  show  him  the  lines 
and,  having  waggled  to  him  to  "go  home,"  went  over  and  dived  on 
a  German  convoy  that  he  saw  moving  from  Cambrai  toward 
Bapaume.  As  he  fired,  he  turned  his  "tracers"  along  the 
roadside  into  an  ammunition  dump,  that  immediately  blew  up. 

*See  Bombing  Reports,  Nos.  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  20,  24,  25,  27,  and  30,  pages  112-116, 
1 19-124,  130-133,  I34-I3S»  and  140. 

48 


Running  down  a  German  staff  car 


OUR  SOMBRIN  PERIOD 

The  explosion  was  formidable  and  was  reported,  independently, 
as  a  feature  of  the  day  at  the  Front,  by  Lieutenant  Springs  of  the 
148th  Aero  Squadron  and  by  a  ground  officer  of  59  Squadron, 
R.A.F.,  who  was  stationed  at  the  Advanced  Landing  Ground. 
Both  observed  from  far  off  the  immense  column  of  smoke  that 
it  made  and,  at  the  moment,  without  knowledge  of  the  cause.^ 

Knotts  too  it  was  who  a  little  later  ** pulled"  the  famous  stunt 
of  pursuing  a  closed  Hun  staff  car  through  the  village  of  Naves 
and  down  a  road,  from  about  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  until  it 
overturned  in  the  ditch.  "Its  occupants  fell  out,"  he  remarked 
laconically,  on  reporting  to  the  Squadron  Office,  "and  one  of  them 
got  up  and  ran.     I  fired  at  him.     The  other  did  not  move." 

Over  and  over  again,  as  the  battle  for  Cambrai  progressed,  our 
patrols  met  and  made  salHes  at  a  large  formation  of  blue-tailed 
Fokkers.  We  tried  to  ambush  them  in  the  clouds  or,  on  clear 
days,  we  sailed  around  in  an  unconcerned  and  unguarded  kind  of  a 
way,  hoping  to  coax  them  nearer  to  our  lines.  The  "Blue-Tails" 
did  much  the  same  to  us.  They  were  a  stout  "bunch"  that 
needed  really  no  coaxing  at  all,  if  for  a  moment  they  "had  it  on 
us"  even  a  little  in  numbers,  and  several  times  we  got  into  some 
fairly  good  "close-ups"  with  them.  As  flyers  they  were  by  far 
the  best  Huns  and,  as  fighters,  the  most  aggressive,  we  had  ever 
encountered.  The  Blue-Tails  were  in  fact,  as  we  found  out 
afterwards,  one  of  the  most  famous  of  the  Boche  organizations 
and  well  known  for  their  depredations  on  other  fronts. 

For  a  couple  of  days  we  "curtsied"  to  them,  passing  the  time 
of  day  at  long  range,  and  we  knew  perfectly  well  that,  sooner  or 
later,  something  was  bound  to  happen,  especially  as,  at  that  time, 
we  were  making  a  business  of  "picking  on"  enemy  two-seaters. 
On  September  24th,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  our  formation 
of  fourteen  machines  saw,  rather  far  off,  an  enemy  formation  of 
thirteen,  accompanied  by  two  other  formations  of  eight  each. 
Nothing  happened.  Fifteen  minutes  later  one  of  our  flights 
dived  to  5,000  feet  on  two  two-seaters  and  chased  them  scuttling 
past  the  canal  south  of  Cambrai.  They  were  bait,  for  not  long 
afterward,  as  our  flights  were  buzzing  along,  at  about  9,000  feet 

^See  Bombing  Report,  No.  10,  page  106. 

49 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

over  Havrincourt  Woods,  a  formation  of  sixteen  Blue-Tails 
dropped  on  them  without  warning  from  16,000  or  17,000  feet, 
while  a  number  of  other  Fokkers  "sat  up-stairs'*  waiting  for 
their  best  moment  to  pounce  on  us.  Fokkers  dive  well;  they  had 
the  "jump"  on  us  at  last;  and  our  luck  for  the  moment  was  bad: 
four  of  our  machines  were  incapacitated  on  the  spot  with  gun-jams 
and  C.  C.  gears  out  of  action.  But  the  other  ten  took  up  the 
gage  thrown  down,  and  before  the  spluttering  rat-tat-tat-tat  of 
machine  guns  on  all  sides  had  ceased  we  had  taken  a  toll  of  five 
destroyed  and  one  driven  down  out  of  control,  without  losing  a 
single  pilot  or  machine.^  Later,  on  the  same  day,  the  148th 
"hopped"  the  Blue-Tails,  or  what  remained  of  them,  and  cleaned 
up  six  of  them. 

This  picturesquely  painted  enemy  circus  was  never  again  seen 
on  the  Front. 

We  did  even  better  on  September  28th.  It  was  a  very  lively 
day  just  **east  of  Cambrai."  Low  bombing  attacks  on  Up 
Wink  (Awoingt),  where  enemy  troops  were  reported  heavily 
concentrated,  were  only  part  of  the  entertainment.^  On  the 
evening  patrol,  Lieut.  Howard  Burdick  shot  down  two  Fokkers 
and  Lieutenant  Vaughn  one,  in  a  general  dog-fight,  in  which  there 
were  not  a  few  indecisive,  or  if  decisive  unrecorded,  furious  close- 
range  encounters.^  In  the  midst  of  the  general  mix-up,  while  the 
rest  of  the  flight  were  sharply  engaged,  four  Fokkers  got  on  Lieut- 
enant Wicks'  tail  and  working  together  drove  him  literally  to 
the  ground.  Wicks  never  lost  his  head.  He  dodged  and  ducked, 
half  rolled,  zigzagged  and  gamely  fought  on,  turning  again  and 
again  on  his  pursuers,  until  he  was  down  so  near  "the  carpet" 
that,  after  the  last  dive  he  made  before  shaking  them  off,  he  stove 
in  the  leading  edge  of  his  wings  on  the  branches  of  trees,  as  he 
zoomed  past  a  Fokker  out  of  a  little  clearing  just  inside  which  the 
scrap  finally  ended. 

During  the  latter  part  of  September  and  the  greater  part  of 

»See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,  49,  50,  and  51,  pages  83-88.    For  Sep- 
tember 27th,  see  Combat  Report,  No.  52,  page  89. 
.    'See  Bombing  Report,  No.  14,  page  112. 

'See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  53,  54,  and  SS*  pages  89-91. 

50 


OUR  SOMBRIN  PERIOD 

October,  as  our  bombing  reports  show,^  we  brought  discomfiture  to 
the  Hun  in  many  forms  and  helped  to  break  up  the  organization 
of  his  retreat  toward  the  frontier,  in  spite  of  continued  unfavor- 
able weather  of  low-hanging  mists  and  drizzling  rain.  We 
added  much  valuable  material  to  British  InteUigence,  which  made 
it  possible  to  strike  the  enemy  ceaselessly  and  at  his  weakest  spot. 
We  took  an  active  part  in  those  well-regulated  and  hammering 
blows,  fighting  hostile  infantry  and  machine  gun  nests  more  than 
we  fought  Hun  scouts  and  observation  planes.  But  we  did  not 
fail,  on  the  other  hand,  to  take  advantage  of  whatever  opportun- 
ity his  waning  forces  in  the  air  gave  us.  Vaughn  and  Burdick 
especially  never  considered  a  bombing  show  complete  unless 
they  hunted  out  and  attacked  one  of  the  German  two-seaters  which 
were  vainly  attempting  to  regulate  the  fire  of  Boche  batteries 
or  watch  British  movements  on  the  ground.  Together  they  ac- 
counted for  a  D.F.W.  and  a  Halberstadt,  in  addition  to  the 
L.V.G.  biplane  that  Vaughn  shot  down  alone  toward  the  end  of 
September.^ 

Soon  the  line  began  to  approach  Le  Cateau  and  we  were  ordered 
to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  move.^  Estourmel  was  selected 
as  an  advanced  landing  ground,  and  Esnes  as  the  site  of  a  new 
aerodrome  from  which  we  were  to  operate.  The  "staff"  went  up 
in  cars  to  look  over  the  lay  of  the  land  and  make  preparations. 
In  going  one  passed  through  the  whole  depth  of  the  battlefields 
of  four  years,  from  Saulty  dump,  near  Doullens,  that  the  Huns  had 
shelled  during  their  great  offensive  of  March  and  April,  through 
villages  at  first  touched  only  here  and  there  by  shell  fire,  on  to 
villages  torn  and  smashed,  with  gaping  roofs  and  caving  walls, 
to  villages  in  the  midst  of  the  old  battlefield,  where  nothing  lived 
but  weeds  and  where  only  a  sign,  mud-covered,  in  the  midst  of  the 
brick  dust  and  abandoned  German  material,  remained  to  tell 
that  a  village  once  was  there.  This  waste  is  wide  on  the  Cambrai 
front.  Finally  new  battlefields  were  crossed — caked  clay  fresh 
in  shell  craters,  extemporized  bridges,  and  villages  nwre  or  less 

*See  Bombing  Reports,  Nos.  ii  to  33  inclusive,  pages  106-144. 
'See  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  54,  56,  and  57,  pages  90, 92,  and  93. 
'For  our  last  victories,  see  Combat  Reports,  Nos.  58  and  59,  pages  93-95. 

SI 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

"done  in" — and  Cambrai  reached  with  its  blackened  square  and 
torn  railway  tracks.  From  there  we  moved  across  a  green  coun- 
try full  of  dead  Huns  lying  in  the  tawny  grass  with  their  guns  and 
tanks,  rifles,  machine  guns,  mess  tins,  broken  transport,  and  piled 
shells  and  stores.  This  was  the  region  on  which  our  pilots  had 
looked  down  while  they  watched  for  enemy  movements  on  the 
ground  or  Fokkers  in  the  air.  It  seemed  in  some  way  to  belong  to 
us,  although  in  it  now  all  the  fever  of  war  was  dead. 

But  we  did  not  move  into  that  region  to  take  part  in  the  battles 
which  were  fast  approaching  the  scene  of  the  earliest  engagements 
between  the  Germans  and  the  First  Hundred  Thousand — Mons 
and  Maubeuge.  We  were  to  "go  South,"  which  to  us  meant  go- 
ing to  our  own  armies.  We  heard  the  news  with  mixed  emotions. 
We  wanted  naturally  to  have  some  part  in  the  exploits  of  our 
own  people  in  the  field.  But  we  had  been  very  happy  with 
the  British  and  had  learned  their  game  and  how  well  they 
played  it. 

The  order  came  to  turn  in  our  British  supplies,  which  was  done, 
and  we  prepared  to  entrain.  The  day  before  our  departure 
(October  31st)  General  Longcroft  flew  over  in  his  Camel  and 
asked  that  he  might  say  a  few  words  to  all  ranks.  The  enlisted 
men  were  drawn  up  on  three  sides  of  a  hangar  and  he  walked 
down  their  lines  asking,  here  and  there,  one  or  another  of  them 
what  his  work  had  been  before  the  war  and  in  the  Squadron. 
He  then  read  to  ofl&cers  and  men  the  following  letter  from  Gen- 
eral Byng,  commander  of  the  Third  British  Army. 

Headquarters, 
Third  Army,  B.E.F. 
30th  October,  191 8. 
Dear  Longcroft: 

Will  you  please  convey  to  the  Commanders  and  all  ranks  of  the  17th 
and  148th  American  Squadrons  my  sincere  appreciation  of  their  excellent 
and  valuable  work  with  the  Third  Army,  and  thank  them  very  warmly 
for  so  cordially  responding  to  all  the  calls  made  upon  them. 
I  greatly  regret  their  departure  and  wish  them  every  luck. 

Sincerely, 

(Sgd.)  J.  Byng. 
52 


0\ 


\        5  f  5 


i  5 


OUR  SOMBRIN  PERIOD 

He  added  simply  and  briefly,  but  very  feelingly,  his  own  apprecia- 
tion of  our  work  and  his  thanks.  The  moment  was  impressive. 
Afterward  General  Longcroft  came  up  to  the  Mess  and  chatted 
with  the  officers  on  the  British  theory  of  offensive  in  the  air. 

This  letter,  this  little  informal  but  very  cordial  address,  and 
this  simple  quiet  moment  of  relaxation,  which  the  British  know  so 
well  how  to  make  significant,  closed  our  career  with  the  Royal 
Air  Force. 

On  November  ist  we  entrained  at  the  railhead  at  Saulty,  pro- 
ceeding in  the  usual  box  cars  labelled  "  8  chevaux — 40  hommes, "  to 
Candas,  and  thence,  via  Chateau  Thierry  and  Chalons,  to  Toul. 
The  five  Fiat  trucks  with  trailers  and  one  motor  side-car  proceeded 
at  the  same  time  with  twelve  men  and  an  officer,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Wells,  through  Doullens,  Amiens,  Roye, 
Noyon,  Chateau  Thierry,  and  Chalons,  to  Toul.  The  squadron,  on 
its  arrival,  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth  Pursuit  Group,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Charles  J.  Biddle,  and  occupied,  with  the  25th, 
141st,  and  148th,  the  French  cavalry  barracks  (Casernement 
de  Goncourt)  at  Toul  aerodrome,  on  the  north  side  of  the  city. 
Spads  were  designated  as  the  machines  that  we  were  to  fly,  but 
before  we  could  get  our  full  complement  of  them  allotted  to  us  and 
obtain  even  a  part  of  the  tools  necessary  for  testing  and  tuning 
them  up,  before  our  pilots  had  even  a  chance  to  learn  to  fly  them, 
the  armistice  was  signed  and  active  operations  were  over. 

The  17th  Squadron  had,  at  the  Front,  a  singularly  happy  ca- 
reer; and  to  that  happiness,  which  diffused  a  unison  through  it 
and  an  intention  all  its  own,  it  owed  doubtless,  in  no  small  degree, 
its  effectiveness.  Imbedded  in  an  allied  army,  concerning  the 
inner  workings  of  which  it  had  neither  interest  nor  knowledge, 
it  waged  war  with  a  high  sense  of  simple  duty  uncontaminated 
by  the  obscure  friction  and  ambitions  that  so  often  paralyze  action 
and  create  unfortunate  situations  of  strain,  delay,  and  uncer- 
tainty. We  asked  for  nothing  but  a  chance  to  show  what  Ameri- 
can flyers  could  do  with  American  soldiers  standing  loyally  be- 
hind them.  We  asked  only  to  be  allowed  to  be,  in  the  fullest 
sense  of  the  words,  a  fighting  unit.  This  opportunity  the  Brit- 
ish gave  us  to  their  utmost  ability  and  in  an  unstinted  measure 

53 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

that  we  might  otherwise  never  have  known.     They  had  nothing 
else  that  they  could  give — neither  advancement  nor  power. 

And  from  us — there  was  no  one  among  us  who  was  more  than 
a  mere  subaltern — they  could  expect  nothing  but  the  quintes- 
sence of  an  offensive  spirit  in  the  face  of  the  common  enemy.  To 
afford  that  spirit  scope,  and  to  that  end  alone,  they  put  completely 
and  unreservedly  at  our  disposal  the  great,  simple,  direct  organ- 
ization of  the  Royal  Air  Force — an  organization  from  which  pre- 
tence, incoherence,  and  lost  motion  had  been  largely  burned  away 
by  the  fiame  of  four  years'  tragic  and  indecisive  warfare.  They 
met  us  as  man  to  man,  in  the  great  task  of  defeating  the  enemy, 
with  a  direct  cordiality  that  was  a  recognition  of  service  in  which 
no  second  thoughts  and  mental  reserves  could  play  a  part.  They 
supported  us  eminently,  and  we  lived  and  fought  to  be  not  un- 
worthy of  the  confidence  they  had  come  to  repose  in  us.  It  was 
a  rare  situation— never,  perhaps,  again  to  be  presented. 


54 


CHAPTER  V 
Combat  Reports 


Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  D.  Williams. 

Date:  July  20,  1918. 

Time:  9:45  A.  M. 

Locality:  Near  Ostend,  two  or  three  miles  east. 

Duty:  Escort. 

Height:  20000  down  to  16000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  destroyed;  i  Fokker  driven  down  under  control. 

Our  formation  encountered  five  Fokker  biplanes  near  Ostend. 
They  were  at  about  21000  feet.  We  were  at  20000,  but  fought 
down  to  16000  or  17000.  Fired  several  bursts  at  rather  long 
range,  150-200  yards,  at  two  different  machines.  One  seemed  to 
be  hit  as  tracer  bullet  seemed  to  explode  in  fuselage  back  of  pilot. 
He  went  down  under  control. 

One  other  Fokker  dove  on  me  firing  short  burst.  Manoeuvred 
so  that  I  was  only  about  twenty-five  yards  to  his  left  rear,  as 
he  was  making  a  slow  climbing  turn;  gave  him  a  burst  of  forty  or 
fifty  bullets  which  appeared  to  enter  his  machine  at  pilot's  seat. 
He  turned  on  his  back  and  fell  straight  out  of  sight,  apparently 
out  of  control. 

(Sgd.)  R.  D.  Williams. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

2  Section,  6  D.A.,  Belgian  Army,    ist  Lieut.,  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
through  American  Mission.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


55 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

2 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd. 

Date:  August  i,  1918. 

Time:  9:00  a.  m. 

Locality:  near  Provin. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  14000  to  16000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  triplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  8:00-10:00  a.  m.,  August  i,  1918,  our 
formation  met  three  triplanes  and  one  Fokker  biplane  at  14000 
to  16000.  The  leading  three  of  our  formation  dived  on  the  E.A. 
and  when  the  E.A.  turned,  I  dove  on  the  nearest  triplane,  opening 
fire  at  about  100  yards  range.  The  triplane  pulled  up,  allowing 
me  to  get  within  25  yards  of  him,  and  my  next  burst  sent  him  down 
out  of  control.  While  watching  him,  I  went  into  a  spin  accidently 
and  pulled  out  of  it  at  about  6000  feet.  While  still  diving,  I 
saw  the  triplane  crash  into  a  wood  near  Provin  (Hazebrouck  SA, 
1-100,000  C.K.).     This  was  about  8:50-9:00  a.  m. 

(Sgd.)  Robert  M.  Todd. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.).  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.,  Corhmunique,  1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  U.S.R., 

No.  18,  August  I,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

3 

Pilot:  R.  D.  Gracie. 
Date:  August  i,  1918. 
Time:  9:30  A.  M. 
Locality:  Wytschaete. 
Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  15000  feet. 

While  on  O.P.,  8:00-10:00  a.  m.  met  five  Fokkers  and  a  Pfalz 
at  about  16000,  at  9:30  a.  m.  between  Wulverghem,  Wytschaete, 
Messines  and  Hollebeke.  Fired  at  one  Fokker  from  below  about 
150  rounds  at  200-300  yards.  E.A.  went  into  spin  but  I  did  not 
watch  him  for  more  than  2000  or  3000  feet  as  there  were  other 
E.  A.  still  on  top  of  me. 

(Sgd.)  Ralph  D.  Gracie. 

56 


COMBAT  REPORTS 


Pilot:  Lieut.  M.  K.  Spidle. 

Date:  August  i,  1918. 

Time:  9:33  a.  m. 

Locality:  Between  Messines  and  HoUebeke. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  14CXX)  feet. 

While  on  O.  P.  our  formation  met  three  Fokker  biplanes  and 
one  Fokker  triplane  at  14000  feet  at  9:25-9:35  A.  M.,  between 
Wulverghem,  Wytschaete,  Messines,  and  HoUebeke.  Fired  150 
rounds  into  Fokker  biplane  which  spun  4000  feet  and  flattened 
out  and  then  dived  again.     Did  not  see  it  crash. 

(Sgd.)  M.  K.  Spidle. 


Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  H.  Shearman. 

Date:  August  i,  1918. 

Time:  9:35  A.  M. 

Locality:  Area  between  Wytschaete  and  HoUebeke. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  1 4000-1 5000  feet. 

Four  E.A.  seen  about  a  thousand  feet  above  our  formation, 
9:25-9:35  A.  M.,  between  Wytschaete,  Wulverghem,  Messines, 
and  HoUebeke.  We  cHmbed  to  meet  E.A.  which  when  directly 
overhead,  dived  through  formation.  A  Pfalz  attacked  right 
of  our  formation  from  sun,  and  came  through  formation,  right 
to  left,  directly  in  front  of  my  guns.  My  first  burst  struck  front 
of  machine  slightly  in  advance  of  cockpit,  and  machine  passed 
slightly  under  and  to  my  left.  I  turned  and  dived  putting  a 
burst  into  the  cockpit  of  E.A.  The  machine  wavered,  side- 
slipped slightly,  went  down  in  a  dive.  The  E.A.  was  diving 
straight  down  and  I  followed  him  down  until  I  was  at  13000  feet, 
the  enemy  formation  being  then  at  8000  feet,  and  the  Pfalz  at 
3000  feet  still  going  down,  when  I  lost  sight  of  him  under  the 
wing  of  my  machine.  The  machine  was  diving  directly  toward 
our  lines. 

(Sgd.)  W.  H.  Shearman. 

57 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  J.  Armstrong  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9499. 

Date:  August  3,  1918. 

Time:  8:25  A.  M. 

Locality:  South  of  Roulers. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  12000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  triplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  7:30  to  9:30  A.  M.,  August  3,  191 8,  I 
met  a  formation  of  Fokker  biplanes  and  triplanes.  Caught  one 
triplane  unawares  at  8:30  a.  m.  and  fired  50  rounds  from  thirty 
yards  right  into  him  at  12000  feet;  saw  tracers  go  straight  into 
machine.  I  overshot  and  could  not  follow  him  down  below 
loooo  feet.  Location  about  one  and  a  half  miles  south  of 
Roulers. 

(Sgd.)  William  J.  Armstrong. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  7:30-9:30  a.  m.,  August  3,  191 8,  at 
12000  feet,  I  saw  an  E.A.  below  me.  I  dived  on  this  machine  to 
9000  feet  but  was  unable  to  get  within  firing  distance  and  flattened 
out.  I  then  saw  a  Fokker  triplane  go  in  a  steep  spiral  apparently 
out  of  control.  I  spiraled  down  to  between  5000  and  6000  feet 
from  whence  I  saw  him  crash  in  a  vertical  nose  dive  into  the 
ground. 

(Sgd.)  W.  H.  Shearman. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel    B.    Eckert, 

R.  A.  F.,  Communique  ist  Lieut.,  A.S.,  U.  S.  R., 

No.  18,  August  3, 1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

7 

Pilot:  Lieut.  M.  L.  Campbell. 

Date:  August  3,  1918. 

Time:  8:30  a.  m. 

Locality:  South  of  Roulers. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  12000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

58 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

While  on  O.P.,  9:30  A.  M.,  August  3,  1918,  I  encountered  a 
Fokker  biplane  at  12000  feet  and  dived  on  him  following  him  down 
to  1000  feet  firing  about  400  rounds  (closest  range  about  100  yards). 
Smoke  appeared  in  the  cockpit  of  E.A.,  at  about  3000  feet  but 
machine  did  not  catch  on  fire.  E.A.  turned  on  his  left  wing  tip  and 
dived  straight  down  into  the  ground.  I  saw  him  crash  in  the 
middle  of  a  field  of  crops  and  I  was  then  at  1000  feet  so  came 
straight  back.  Exact  locality  unknown  on  account  of  clouds. 
Heavy  machine  gun  fire  (white  tracers)  when  returning,  from  roads 
about  a  mile  from  where  E.A.  was  seen  to  crash. 

(Sgd.)  Merton  L.  Campbell. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd).  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.,  Communique,  ist  Lieut.,  A.S.,  U.S.R., 

No.  18,  August  3,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

8 

Pilot:  Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton. 

Date:  August  7,  191 8. 

Time:  1 1:10  A.  M. 

Locality:  Armentieres. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height :  8000-500  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  16000  feet  we  saw  eight  Fokker 
biplanes  at  8000  feet  over  Armentieres.  We  dove,  taking  them  by 
surprise.  E.A.  dove  away  from  us.  I  settled  on  the  tail  of  one 
Fokker  and  fired  200  rounds  into  him  as  he  spiraled  down  to  8000 
feet.  I  followed  him  down  to  5000  feet  at  which  point  a  cloud  of 
black  smoke  issued  from  his  cock-pit  and  he  went  down  in  an 
extremely  steep  spiral  through  a  cloud,  apparently  out  of  control. 
When  I  came  out  of  the  cloud  a  Fokker  fired  at  me  head  on.  I 
climbed  and  turned  on  to  his  tail  and  fired  at  him  following  him 
down  to  about  3000  feet.  As  he  dove  away,  Lieut.  Campbell 
came  in  on  the  side  and  then  on  to  his  tail,  firing  several  bursts. 
I  saw  E.A.  crash  into  a  green  field  just  east  of  Armentieres. 
Lieut.  Campbell  was  at  about  100  feet  and  I  was  at  500,  both 
getting  badly  machine  gunned.    When  I  was  going  toward  the 

59 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

lines  I  saw  another  Fokker  biplane  badly  crashed  on  the  ground 
just  east  of  Armentieres,  in  a  trench. 

(Sgd.)  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton. 
For  Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd's  Statement,  see  Combat  Report,  No.  lO. 
Confirmed : 
R.A.F.  Communique, 
No.  19,  August  7,  191 8. 

9 

Pilot:  R.  W.  Snoke. 

Date:  August  7,  191 8. 

Time:  11:20  a.  m. 

Locality:  Armentieres. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  8000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  16000,  saw  five  Fokker  biplanes 
at  about  8000  feet.  Dove  and  fired  100  rounds  at  one  which  I 
followed  down  to  3500  feet.  White  smoke  appeared  to  come  out 
of  the  E.A.  which  continued  to  go  down  in  a  steep  spiral.  At 
this  point  I  turned  to  find  another  E.A.  and  lost  sight  of  him. 

(Sgd.)  Ralph  W.  Snoke. 

10 

Pilot:  M.L.Campbell. 

Date:  August  7,  1918. 

Time:  11:30  a.  m. 

Locality:  Armentieres. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height :  8000  feet. 

Result:  2  Fokker  biplanes  destroyed. 

I.  While  on  an  O.P.  encountered  a  flight  of  five  Fokker  bi- 
planes over  Armentieres.  After  getting  behind  them  and  in 
the  sun,  we  dove  on  them  (E.A.  being  at  about  8000  feet). 
Fired  two  bursts  (about  75  rounds)  into  one  after  which  he  went 
down  out  of  control,  having  turned  over  on  his  back.  Other  E.A. 
prevented  me  from  watching  him  further  at  the  time.  Closest 
range  forty  yards. 

60 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

2.  Attacked  another  E.A.  just  west  of  Armentieres  fired  about 
eight  bursts  into  him  (175  rounds)  and  drove  him  down  to  the 
ground,  last  burst  being  at  about  100  feet  range.  E.A.  was  seen 
to  crash  in  green  field,  sfriking  nose  first.  I  went  down  to  icx) 
feet  from  the  ground.  Machine  gun  fire  from  buildings  when 
returning  to  our  lines. 

(Sgd.)  Merton  L.  Campbell. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  10:00-12:00  a.  m.  near  Armentieres, 
ran  into  a  formation  of  five  E.A.  (Fokker  biplanes),  at  a  height 
of  about  6000  feet.  We  dove  on  them  from  about  9000  feet  and 
four  of  them  dove  away  from  us.  The  fifth  E.A.  stayed  in  clouds 
and  I  stayed  up  with  him  while  the  rest  of  the  formation  went 
down  after  the  four  E.A.  After  two  short  bursts,  the  E.A.  in 
clouds  put  his  nose  down  and  went  into  Hunland  away  from  the 
fight.  I  returned  and  stayed  above  the  fight  at  a  height  of  about 
5000  from  whence  saw  two  E.A.  crash  into  field.  About  a  minute 
later  I  saw  a  Camel  after  an  E.A.  very  close  to  the  ground.  This 
E.A.  also  crashed  immediately. 

(Sgd.)  Robert  M.  Todd. 
(Sgd.)  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.,   Communique,  ist  Lieut,   A.S.,   U.S.R. 

No.  19,  August  7,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

11 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  J.  Armstrong. 

Date:  August  8, 1918. 

Time:  9:35-9:45  a.  m. 

Locality:  Between  Zeebrugge  and  Knocke. 

Duty:  Covering  Bombing  Raid. 

Height:  12000  feet. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  met  six  Fokker  biplanes  between 
Zeebrugge  and  Knocke,  at  9:30,  at  17000  feet.  Three  came  down 
and  we  engaged  them  and  drove  them  down.  Then  two  more 
came  down  to  our  height — about  14000  feet.  I  engaged  one  of 
them  and  he  went  into  a  dive.  I  fired  about  100  rounds  into  him 
from  a  range  of  fifty  yards.     My  tracers  were  going  right  into  him. 

61 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Something  seemed  to  explode  in  his  machine  and  he  kept  right  on 
diving  towards  Het  Zoute  (5.N.6.)  with  smoke  streaming  out.  I 
followed  him  down  to  7000  feet  when  another  Fokkergoton  my  tail. 
I  engaged  him  and  he  went  down  but  lef  elled  out  over  the  sea. 

(Sgd.)  William  J.  Armstrong. 
Indecisive.  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert. 

1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

12 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  D.  WilHams. 

Date:  August  9,  191 8. 

Time :  8  .-40-8 :45  A.  M. 

Locality:  i  mile  south  of  Armentieres. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  7000  feet. 

Result:  i  E.A.  driven  down  out  of  control. 

Remarks:  Three  scouts,  apparently  of  new  type  with  no  overhang 

and  tails  rather  Hke  Camels,  short  flat  nose  that  looked  like 

rotary  motor,  going  north.     Guns  firing  forward,  speed  about 

same  as  Camel.     Performance  not  as  good. 

While  on  O.P.  at  8:40-8:45  a.  m.  this  date,  I  became  separated 
from  our  formation,  which  was  split  up  in  fight  near  Lille,  and 
while  trying  to  overtake  it  I  was  cut  off  by  three  scouts  which 
appeared  about  400  feet  above  me.  I  turned  and  attacked  leader 
and  was  immediately  attacked  by  remaining  two.  After  several 
minutes  manoeuvring  I  succeeded  in  putting  burst  of  thirty  or 
forty  into  leader  at  about  50  or  75  yards.  He  fell  in  steep  spiral 
nose  dive  but  was  not  seen  to  crash.  Continued  fight  with  re- 
maining two,  one  of  which  fired  burst  of  100  rounds  or  more 
piercing  my  pressure  tank.  I  switched  on  to  gravity  and  dived 
zigzag  for  clouds  which  were  at  3500  to  3000  feet.  Crossed 
lines  near  Bailleul  at  8:45. 

(Sgd.)  Rodney  D.  Williams. 

While  on  O.P.  at  8 :40-8 :45  this  date,  coming  back  from  the  en- 
gagement near  Lille  our  formation  was  heavily  archied,  and  one 
of  our  machines  was  left  about  a  mile  and  a  half  behind.     Three 

62 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

E.A.  appeared  on  his  left  just  south  of  Armentieres.  He  imme- 
diately turned  to  attack  them,  employing  chiefly  a  cHmbing  right 
turn,  and  seemed  to  get  on  the  tail  of  one  of  them,  which  I  then 
saw  fall  in  steep  spiral  nose  dive  and  go  below  the  clouds  which 
were  about  2500  feet.  Shortly  after  this  the  Camel  disappeared 
into  the  clouds  in  a  series  of  sweeps  from  left  to  right,  followed 
by  the  remaining  two  E.A.  The  fight  started  at  8  .-40-8  45,  about 
3000  feet  which  was  the  height  of  our  formation. 

(Sgd.)    T.  E.  TiLLINGHAST. 

Indecisive.  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

13 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  H.  Shearman. 

Date:  August  12,  191 8. 

Time:  11:00  a.  m. 

Locality:  Heyst. 

Duty:  Cooperation  with  Bombers. 

Height:  15000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

Remarks:  Fokker    biplane    camouflaged    with    broad    irregular 

blotches  of  black  and  cream  white. 

While  on  O.P.  cooperating  with  D.H.9  bombing  squadron,  two 
Fokker  biplanes  dove  on  rear  D.H.9.  We  turned  to  meet  them. 
As  Fokker  turned  to  fire  on  one  of  our  formation,  he  passed  below 
me  and  in  opposite  direction.  I  fired  burst  as  he  passed  and 
swung  around  on  his  tail  opening  fire  a  second  time  at  about  fifty 
yards,  my  tracers  going  directly  into  E.A.  Fired  130  rounds 
from  this  position  at  point-blank  range.  E.A.  went  into  straight 
nose  dive  slowly  revolving  about  its  longitudinal  axis  until  he 
disappeared  into  ground  haze.  I  was  at  that  time  at  about  loooo 
feet. 

(Sgd.)  W.  H.  Shearman. 

While  I  was  on  oflFensive  patrol  I  saw  Lieutenant  Shearman  on 
tail  of  E.A.  firing  at  point-blank  range.  The  E.A.  went  down  into 
left-hand  stall  and  into  a  vertical  dive  slowly  revolving.     I  fol- 

63 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

lowed  him  down  to  7000  feet  and  he  was  still  in  vertical  turning 

dive  when  he  disappeared  in  ground  mist. 

(Sgd.)  L.  E.  Case. 

Decisive.  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


14 

Pilot:  Lieut.  M.  L.  Campbell. 

Date:  August  14,  1918. 

Time:  11:25  A.  m. 

Locality:  Bruges. 

Duty:  Cooperation. 

Height:  14000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  accompanying  bombers  over  Bruges  at  about  11:30  we 
were  attacked  by  formation  of  E.A.  from  above.  I  attacked  one 
E.A.  firing  about  50  rounds  into  him,  shortest  range  about  fifty 
feet.  E.A.  went  over  on  his  back  and  I  did  not  see  him  again. 
Got  two  No.  3  stoppages  just  before  E.A.  went  down.  While 
trying  to  remedy  stoppages  two  E.A.  attacked  me.  They  fol- 
lowed me  from  Bruges,  west  to  the  hnes  firing  a  large  number  of 
rounds.  Crossed  lines  just  off  the  ground  where  I  got  consider- 
able machine  gun  fire. 

(Sgd.)  Merton  L.  Campbell. 

While  on  same  patrol  saw  Lieut.  Campbell  attack  and  directly 
after  saw  an  E.A.  falling  on  back  in  slow  spiral. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 

While  on  patrol  saw  an  E.A.  falling  on  back  in  a  slow  spiral 
after  being  attacked  by  one  of  our  machines. 

(Sgd.)  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton. 

Pilots  of  2X1  Squadron  saw  two  E.A.  shot  down  and  crashed  by 
Camels,  of  which  this  was  probably  one. 
Decisive:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

Letter,  O.C.  65th  Wing,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

R.A.F.,65-G-245,Octoberi5, 1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

64 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

IS 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 

Date:  August  14,  1918. 

Time:  11:30  a.  m. 

Locality:  S.W.  of  Bruges. 

Duty:  Cooperation  with  D.H.9  Bombers. 

Height:  14000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  patrol  cooperating  with  bombers  encountered  flight 
of  six  Fokker  biplanes  and  one  monoplane.  One  dived  on  forma- 
tion, turning  into  me  from  rear.  I  pulled  round  and  fired  about 
seventy-five  rounds  at  fifty  feet,  closest  range;  saw  tracers  going 
into  fuselage.  E.A.  went  over  my  head  and,  without  attempting 
to  pull  up,  went  straight  into  Camel  machine  behind  me.  CameFs 
tail  smashed  and  E.A.'s  left  lower  wing  was  torn  oflP.  Both  ma- 
chines went  straight  down  flopping  about. 

(Sgd.)  Glenn  D.  Wicks. 

While  on  same  patrol  saw  E.A.  and  Camel  falHng  together- 
The  Camel  had  tail  plane  and  fuselage  broken  and  E.A.  had  one 
wing  torn  oflF. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
(Sgd.)  Jesse  F.  Campbell. 
Decisive.  (Sgd.)  L.  A.  Hamilton. 

Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,   Sig.   R.C., 

No.  20,  August  14,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

16 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd. 

Date:  August  15,  191 8. 

Time:  4:30-4:35  p.  M. 

Locality:  Dixmude. 

Duty:  Cooperation  with  Bombers. 

Height:  12000-9000  feet. 

Coming  home  from  cooperation  show  with  211  Squadron  from 
3:00  p.  M.  to  5:00  p.  M.,  I  lost  my  leader  who  dove  on  Huns  and 

6S 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

tagged  on  to  Bentley  Camel  *'E"  from  210  Squadron.  We  came 
home  together  at  12000  feet  and  as  we  were  about  to  cross  the 
Hnes  above  Dixmude  at  4:50  a  Fokker  opened  fire  on  us  at  a  range 
of  about  fifty  yards,  taking  us  by  surprise.  We  both  turned  to 
the  right  and  went  after  the  E.A.,  the  Bentley  getting  in  front 
shot  at  it.  The  E.A.  pulled  up  vertically  and  Bentley  went 
underneath  him;  E.A.  stalled  and  went  into  nose  dive.  This 
brought  him  in  my  range  of  fire  and  I  dove  on  him  firing  a  continu- 
ous burst  for  3000  feet  at  a  distance  of  50  yards  to  100  yards. 
E.A.  went  underneath  me  and  I  lost  sight  of  him  and  after  pulling 
out  of  dive  could  not  get  sight  of  E.A.  again.  I  was  able  to  see 
my  tracers  going  into  the  E.A.  and  the  last  seen  of  it  the  E.A.  was 


going  down  at  a  terrific  speed. 


(Sgd.)  Robert  M.  Todd. 


17 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2157. 

Date:  August  21,  1918. 

Time:  12:50  p.  m. 

Locality:  57c.  F.22. 

Duty:  O.P.  Cooperating  with  No.  6  Squadron. 

Height:  12000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

At  12:50  p.  M.,  at  57C.F.22,  while  leading  O.P.  cooperating  with 
R.E.S's,  attacked  8  Fokker  biplanes  who  were  about  1000  feet  above 
me.  I  pulled  nose  up,  fired  at  leader  who  dove  down  under  me. 
I  dove  on  him  firing  a  good  burst.  He  went  into  a  spin,  could 
not  follow  him  down  as  two  other  E.A.  attacked  me.  Then  en- 
gaged three  others  pulling  up  my  nose  and  firing  from  below.  We 
then  fought  a  rear-guard  action,  while  returning,  as  E.A.  persisted 
in  attacking  from  above  and  behind  us.  Number  of  rounds  fired, 
350. 

(Sgd.)  William  D.  Tipton. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 
66 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

18 

Pilot:  Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  1964. 

Date:  August  21,  1918. 

Time:  12:50  p.  m. 

Locality:  57C.F.22. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  1000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

While  on  O.P.  cooperating  with  R.E.8*s,  first  saw  two  E.A. 
passing  500  to  800  feet  below.  One  Camel  dived  on  second  while 
I  dived  on  first.  Fired  about  100  rounds  at  a  distance  of  about 
300  yards.  E.A.  immediately  half  rolled  to  the  right  and  dived 
steeply.  I  followed  him  down  about  1000  feet  firing  short  bursts 
into  him;  left  him  going  down  in  what  appeared  to  be  an  uncon- 
trolled spin. 

(Sgd.)  F.  M.  Showalter. 

(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C. 

Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

19 

Pilot:  Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1940. 

Date:  August  21,  1918. 

Time:  12:55  p.  m. 

Locality:  57C.L.5. 

Duty:  Cooperative  Off'ensive  Patrol. 

Height:  12000-4000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  O.P.  cooperating  with  No.  6  Squadron  we  saw  nine 
Fokker  biplanes  in  the  distance  and  headed  for  them.  Some 
dove  away  and  I  followed  one.  He  banked  around  and  as  I 
opened  fire  on  him  he  dove  away.  I  got  on  his  tail  and  from  a  dis- 
tance of  10-20  yards  fired  350  rounds  into  him  during  which  time 
he  did  not  turn.  At  5000  feet  he  began  to  smoke  and  I  pulled 
away  from  him  at  4000  feet. 

(Sgd.)  L.  A.  Hamilton. 

^1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd's  Statement. 

While  on  O.P.  cooperating  with  No.  6  Squadron  at  i2:cx)-2:oo 
p.  M.,  August  21,  1918,  we  attacked  nine  E.A.  at  a  height  of 
12000  feet.  I  dove  with  Lieut.  Hamilton  on  a  Fokker  biplane. 
He  was  within  25  yards  of  E.A.  and  followed  it  for  about  5000  feet 
in  this  position.  I  pulled  out  at  5000  feet  and  while  circling 
around  I  saw  the  E.A.  crash  to  earth  at  57c.  L.5. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  S.  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

No.  21,  August  21,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


20 

Pilot:  Lieut.  M.  L.  Campbell,  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1941. 

Date:  August  21,  1918. 

Time:  i  P.  M. 

Locality:  Cambrai. 

Duty:  Cooperative  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  iiooo  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

While  on  a  cooperative  O.P.  with  R.E.8's.  we  met  a  flight  of 
E.A.'s.  I  turned  on  the  E.A.  which  was  behind  and  above,  fired 
a  long  burst  into  him  after  which  he  went  down  in  a  dive.  I  had 
to  turn  at  the  time  to  prevent  stalHng  and  lost  sight  of  E.A.  Fired 
about  125  rounds  at  a  range  of  from  250  to  200  yards. 

(Sgd.)  Merton  L.  Campbell. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider's  Statement. 

While  on  the  above  mentioned  patrol  saw  Lieut.  Campbell 
fire  on  E.A.  which  stalled  and  appeared  to  go  down  in  a  side-slip 
dive;  I  lost  sight  of  him. 

(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  S.R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 
68 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

21 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  D.  Williams  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6595. 
Date:  August  21,  1918. 
Time:  About  i  p.  m. 
Locality:  57C.F.22. 
Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  11 000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control 
I  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 
While  on  O.P.  and  cooperating  with  R.E.S's  we  met  8  Fokker 
biplanes  at  one  p.  m.,  57C.F.22;  we  attacked,  our  leader  diving 
on  first  Fokker;  two  Fokkers  got  on  leader's  tail  and  I  attacked 
the  rear  E.A.  of  the  two.  Put  a  burst  of  30  or  40  rounds  into  him 
at  a  range  of  75  yards.  Fokker  seemed  to  hesitate,  stall,  turn 
to  the  left,  and  go  down  very  steeply.  Dove  on  the  tail  of  fore- 
most Fokker  who  half  rolled  to  the  right  and  went  down  in  steep 
dive  with  another  Camel  on  his  tail  which  followed  him  several 
thousand  feet. 

(Sgd.)  R.  D.  Williams. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


22 

Pilots:  Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1940. 

Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9513. 
Date:  August  21,  1918. 
Time:  6:45  P.  M. 
Locality:  57C.H.17. 
Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Result:  i  enemy  kite  balloon  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  about  6:45  p.  M.,  Lieut.  Todd  and 
myself  dove  on  E.  Balloon  at  2CX)0  feet  at  57C.H.17.  I  saw  my 
Buckingham  going  into  balloon.     I  saw  observer  jump  and  saw 

69 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

balloon  burst  into  flames  at  about  200  feet  from  ground.     I  fired 
about  300  rounds. 

(Sgd.)  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton. 

Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd*s  Statement. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  about  6:45  p.  m.,  Lieut.  Hamilton 
and  myself  dove  on  E.  Balloon  at  2000  feet  at  57C.H.17.  I  saw 
my  Buckingham  going  into  balloon.  I  saw  observer  jump  and 
saw  balloon  burst  into  flames  at  about  200  feet  from  ground.  I 
fired  about  300  rounds. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell's  Statement. 

I  saw  Lieut.  Todd  and  Lieut.  Hamilton  fire  into  balloon  and 
saw  it  burst  into  flames  about  200  feet  from  ground. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

No.  21,  August  21,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


23 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6513. 

Date:  August  21,  1918. 

Time:  7:15  p.  m. 

Locality:  Bapaume. 

Duty:  OflPensive  Patrol. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

While  on  O.P.  met  8  Fokkers  over  Bapaume  at  7:15.  One  dove 
at  me  from  side  and  I  turned  and  fired  one  burst  as  he  went  past 
and  dived  away. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  C.   Knotts. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 
70 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

24 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton. 

Date:  August  22,  1918. 

Time:  9:50  a.  m. 

Locality:  57C.H.22. 

Duty:  O.P.  Cooperating  with  R.E.S's. 

Height:  locx)  feet. 

Result:  i  kite  balloon  destroyed. 

While  on  cooperative  patrol  with  R.E.S's  at  9:50,  dove  with 
Lieut.  WilHams  on  E.K.B.  at  57c. H. 22,  at  1000  feet.  Fired  long 
burst  up  to  within  25  yards  of  K.B.  which  ignited  and  went  down 
in  flames.     400  rounds  fired. 

(Sgd.)  W.  D.  Tipton. 
(Sgd.)  R.  D.  Williams. 

Statement  by  Lieuts.  Hamilton,  Campbell,  Wise,  and  Wicks. 

While  on  O.P.  cooperating  with  No.  6  Squadron  saw  Lieuts. 
Tipton  and  Williams  dive  on  balloon  and  shoot  at  it  at  very  close 
range;  the  balloon  went  down  in  flames. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

No.  21,  August  22,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

25 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9513. 

Date:  August  22,  1918. 

Time:  10:00  a.  M.  ^ 

Locality:  57C.H.30. 

Duty:  Cooperation  with  R.E.8's. 

Height :  7000-4000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  cooperative  patrol  with  R.E.8  squadron,  we  started 
down  on  balloon  near  57C.H.32.  Five  Fokker  biplanes  attacked 
us  at  a  height  of  about  7000  feet,  and  as  Lieut.  Hamilton  and  I 
dove  on  one  enemy  aeroplane,  another  E.A.  got  on  my  tail;  I  half 
rolled  and  came  out  on  tail  of  E.A.  who  was  diving  down.     I  fol- 

71 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

lowed  E.A.  for  about  1500  feet  firing  about  100  rounds  into  it  at 
a  range  of  50  yards.  I  then  lost  him,  as  we  had  been  diving  east, 
and  did  not  try  to  find  E.A.  again  but  rejoined  formation. 

Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton's  Statement. 

After  attacking  E.A.,  saw  machine  burning  on  ground  in  neigh- 
borhood of  57C.H. 25-26-3 1-32. 

Destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

Letter,  CO.  13th  Wing,  R.A.F.,    ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
13  WP  54  October  12,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

26 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  T.  Wise  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  9983. 

Date:  August  22,  1918. 

Time:  io:aD  a.  m. 

Locality:  57C.H.28. 

Duty:  Cooperative  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height :  6000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 

While  on  patrol  cooperating- with  R.E.S's  at  57C.H.28,  10:00 

A.  M.,  one  Fokker  biplane  dove  head  on;  I  fired  at  point-blank 

range  giving  E.A.  good  burst.     E.A.  pulled  into  stall  and  fell 

out  sideways,  going  down  on  side,  in  side-slipping  dive.     Could 

not  observe  result  as  two  E.A.  were  firing  from  behind. 

Out  of  control,  "America.'* 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

27 

Pilot:  Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1941. 
Date:  August  22,  191 8. 
Time:  10:00  a.  m. 
Locality:  57C.H.30. 
Duty:  Cooperative  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  6000-1500  feet. 
Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

72 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

While  on  cooperative  patrol  with  R.E.  8*s,  I  got  on  to  tail  of 
Fokker  who  was  firing  at  a  Camel  in  our  formation  and  followed 
him  to  1500  feet.  I  shot  100  rounds  into  him  with  apparently 
no  eflPect  and  then  both  of  my  guns  jammed.  Last  seen  going 
east  at  500  feet  under  control. 

Driven  down:  "America." 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


28 

Pilots:  Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1940. 
Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6513. 
Date:  August  24,  191 8. 
Time:  2:10  P.  M. 
Locality:  57C.L34. 
Duty:  Low  Bombing. 
Height:  1000  feet. 
Result:  i  kite  balloon  destroyed. 

While  on  low  bombing  east  of  Bapaume  in  company  with  Lieut. 
Hamilton,  we  attacked  an  enemy  balloon  at  about  1000  feet.  I 
fired  150  rounds  at  close  range  and  balloon  burst  into  flames  and 
went  down.  I  saw  Lieut.  Hamilton  firing  all  the  way  down 
at  close  range  on  it. 

Remarks. 

Lieut.  Hamilton  did  not  return  from  patrol  and  was  seen 
by  Lieut.  Campbell,  as  above,  apparently  out  of  control  near  the 
balloon. 

(Sgd.)  J.   F.  Campbell. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  S.R.C., 

No.  21,  August  24,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


73 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

29 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  5428. 

Date:  August  25,  191 8. 

Time:  5:50  p.  M. 

Locality:  Cambrai-Bapaume  road,  57c.H.24.d. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  2000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  east  of  Bapaume,  I  lost  my  formation 
and  stayed  out  over  lines  at  about  2000  feet.  Overhead  was  a 
flight  of  148  U.S.  Squadron.  An  E.A.  diving  away  from  them 
came  in  front  of  me.  I  got  on  his  tail  and  fired  about  two  bursts 
at  a  distance  of  about  10  to  20  yards.  The  E.A.  fell,  struck  the 
ground,  and  burst  into  flames  at  57c.H.24.d.  I  flew  over  the 
spot  later  and  saw  the  E.A.  burning  on  ground.  About  the  time 
of  my  combat  I  saw  an  E.A.  shot  down  by  a  member  148  U.  S. 
Squadron,  slightly  above  me.  E.A.  spun  into  ground  and 
crashed.  I  saw  it  afterward  on  ground  about  300  yards  from 
where  mine  was  burning.  I  got  on  the  tail  of  another  E.A.  but 
my  guns  jammed,  so  came  back  home. 

(Sgd.)  H.  C.  Knotts. 

Destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

No.  21,  August  25,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


30 

Pilots:  Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6595. 
Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5951. 
Date:  August  26,  191 8. 
Time:  5:cx)  p.  m. 
Locality:  57C.D.15. 
Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  1000  feet. 
Result:  3  Fokker  biplanes  destroyed. 

74 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

From  Squadron  Record  Book,  August  27,  191 8. 

"On  crossing  lines  5  Fokkers  were  seen  climbing  about  E. 
of  Queant  (57C.D.15)  at  5  p.  m.  Immediately  afterwards  one 
Camel  was  seen  being  attacked  by  5  Fokkers  in  question  at  about 
57C.B.,  at  1000  feet.  The  patrol  at  once  went  down  to  the  assist- 
ance of  this  Camel  and  attacked  the  5  Fokkers.  Several  other 
flights  of  Fokkers  were  then  seen  coming  down  from  6000.  A 
general  engagement  occurred  in  which  two  other  separate  flights 
of  Fokkers  came  down  from  higher  up." 

From  post  card  from  Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton,  forwarded  from  Aviation 
Ofl[icer,  35  Eaton  Place,  London,  S.  W.  i. 

"Was  brought  down  in  fight  on  August  26th  in  which  I  added 
2  E.A.  to  my  score;  wounded  shghtly  in  both  legs  and  petrol 
tank  shot  through.  Todd,  unwounded  prisoner;  Frost,  severely 
wounded;  Wise,  unwounded  prisoner;  also  Curtis  and  EUis.  Todd 
got  one  in  scrap." 

(Sgd.)  W.  D.  Tipton. 
Confirmed :  R.A.F.,  3rd  Brigade,   3  E.A.  Destroyed :  "America. 
C.R.A.F.,  2259-1  G.,  (Sgd.)  S.  B.  EcKERT, 

November  6,  191 8.  ist  Lieut.  Commanding. 


31 

Pilot:  Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Date:  August  26,  191 8. 

Time:  5:05  p.  m.  . 

Locality:  57C.E.16-10. 

Duty:  Off^ensive  Patrol. 

Height :  3000-5000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 

While  on  off*ensive  patrol  I  dived  on  three  Fokkers;  got  on  side 
of  one  which  was  diving  on  Camel;  fired  one  hundred  rounds  at 
about  10  yards  into  him  between  his  tail  and  wing.  E.A.  went 
down  flopping  about.  I  saw  my  tracers  going  into  his  cockpit. 
I  was  then  attacked  by  from  five  to  nine  more  E.A.  from  above, 

75 


>* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

so  came  back  to  the  Hnes,  and  picked  up  two  other  of  our  ma- 
chines.    As  one  of  my  center  section  struts  and  right  inter-wing 
struts  were  badly  shot,  I  came  home. 
I  saw  one  E.A.  crash  at  57C.E. 

(Sgd.)  R.   W.   Snoke. 

I  E.A.  Out  of  Control:  "America." 

(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


32 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7407. 

Date:  August  26, 1918. 

Time:  5:05  p.  m. 

Locality:  57C.E. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  5000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  formation  was  attacked  by  a  large 
bunch  of  Fokkers.  I  stalled  up  and  fired  one  short  burst  into 
one  above  me.  He  dived.  I  jumped  on  his  tail;  fired  a  good 
burst  at  25  yards  range.  Another  E.A.  got  on  my  tail;  I  turned 
under  him  and  dove  under  another,  turned  under  another  and 
met  another  E.A.  head  on.  Fired  a  good  burst  into  him  at  point- 
blank  range  and  zoomed  over  him.  I  could  not  see  effect  of  my 
fire  on  any  one  of  these,  as  three  more  E.A.  got  above  and  behind 
me  and  followed  me  back  to  the  lines. 

(Sgd.)  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Indecisive:    "America." 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C. 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


76 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

33 

Pilot:  Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  9263. 

Date:  August  26, 191 8. 

Time:  5:05  p.m. 

Locality:  57C.E. 

Duty :  Offensive  Patrol. 

Heights:  50CX>-3000  feet. 

Result:  2  Fokker  biplanes  destroyed. 

1.  While  on  offensive  patrol  our  formation  was  attacked  by 
numerous  E.A.  (Fokkers)  one  E.A.  went  in  front  of  me;  I  fired 
150  rounds;  E.A.  went  over  on  his  back  and  fell  down  smoking. 

2.  Another  E.A.  was  following  a  Camel  down;  I  got  on  E.A.'s 
tail,  fired  50  rounds  at  a  distance  of  25  yards.  The  E.A.  dived 
into  the  ground. 

(Sgd.)  F.A.Dixon. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow's  Statement. 

1.  I  saw  one  E.A.  go  down  in  flames  about  5:10  p.  m.  at  about 
57C.E. 

2.  I  saw  one  E.A.  crash  at  about  5  :io  p.  m.  at  57C.E. 

2  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  S.  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  A.S.,  Sig.  R.C., 

No.  22,  August  25, 191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

34 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7896. 

Date:  September  13,  191 8. 

Time:  6:45-6:50  p.  M.  ^ 

Locality:  57c.E.2.d. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  4000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 

While  on  O.P.  at  4000  feet  at  57c.E.2.d.,  at  6:45-6:50  p.  M., 
I  saw  two  Fokker  biplanes,  one  of  which  attacked  an  R.E.8.  across 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

the  Hnes.  He  then  turned  back  over  the  hnes  when  the  forma- 
tion attacked  the  second  E.A.  and  turning  down  fired  at  the  for- 
mation from  long  range.  I  then  made  a  cHmbing  turn  which 
put  me  on  a  level  of  and  in  the  rear  of  E.A.  who  was  still  firing 
at  the  formation.  I  immediately  opened  fire  at  about  80  yards. 
E.A.  turned  over  on  his  back  and  spun  down  in  wide  circles  still 
on  his  back  until  out  of  sight  at  about  500  feet. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  C.  Knotts. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.S.A.S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  16,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


35 

Pilots:  Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6308. 
Date:  September  17,  191 8. 
Time:  6:45  p.  m. 
Locality:  5ib.R.i4.a. 
Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 
Height:  4CX)ofeet. 
Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  O.P.  over  Arleux  we  were  attacked  by  a  formation 
of  E.A.,  1 1  of  whom  came  down  leaving  6  above  us.  In  the  dog- 
fight which  followed  we  fired  on  i  E.A.  with  white  tail  and  half 
of  fuselage  painted  white,  about  50  rounds,  each  from  the  side, 
at  a  range  of  about  100  to  75  yards. 

On  account  of  greater  numbers  attacking,  the  E.A.  was  imme- 
diately lost  sight  of,  but  same  machine  identified  by  painting  was 
later  seen  by  Lieut.  Knotts  crashed  at  about  5ib.E.i4.a. 

(Sgd.)  William  T.  Clements. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  C.  Knotts. 

I  E.A.  Destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.    Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.S.A.S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  17,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

78 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

36 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

Date:  September  18,  1918. 

Time:  About  11  :oo  a.  m. 

Locality:  57b.G.ii. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol  answering  wireless  calls. 

Height:  1000  to  1500  feet. 

Result:  i  L.V.G.  destroyed.  ■ 

While  answering  call  R  99,  2  E.A.  80.  IW,  our  patrol  of  3  ma- 
chines found  2  two-seaters  at  4000  feet  at  about  1 1  :oo  a.m.  but 
not  at  the  location  indicated.  We  chased  them  down  through 
low  clouds  and  then  waited  above  for  them  to  come  back.  As 
they  came  up  through  the  clouds,  I  attacked  one  of  them,  a 
L.V.G.,  diving  on  him,  on  his  left  side,  at  1000  to  1500  feet,  and 
opening  fire  at  50  yards  range.  The  observer  was  seen  to  be  shot 
and  stopped  firing.  A  few  seconds  later  the  machine  burst 
into  flames,  and  fell  on  57b.G.ii. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  Burdick. 

I  E.A.  in  flames:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.S.A.S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  18,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

37 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6034. 

Date:  September  18,  1918. 

Time:  About  II  :oo  A.  M. 

Locality:  57b.G.io  (Rumilly). 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol  answering  wireless  calls. 

Height:  1000  to  1500  feet. 

Result:  I  L.V.G.  driven  down. 

While  answering  call  R  99,  2  E.A.  80.  IW,  our  patrol  of  3  ma- 
chines found  two  L.V.G.'s  at  11:00  a.  m.,  but  not  where  call  pin- 
pointed them.  They  dived  through  clouds  at  our  approach,  and 
came  back  west.  We  met  them  again  as  they  came  up  through 
clouds.     Lieut.  Wicks  and  myself  put  a  number  of  bursts  directly 

79 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

into  one  of  them.  I  saw  the  observer  crumple  up  in  the  cockpit 
and  cease  firing.  The  machine,  that  was  then  under  looo  feet, 
went  into  a  steep  dive  over  Rumilly  (^yh.G.io),  Heavy  machine 
gun  fire  from  the  ground  prevented  further  observation. 

(Sgd.)  G.A.Vaughn. 
(Sgd.)  G.  D.  Wicks. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


38 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Date:  September  22,  1918. 

Time:  8:45  a.  m. 

Locality:  57b.G.i3 ;  west  of  Rumilly. 

Duty:  Offensive  PatroL 

Height:  2000-3000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  O.P.  at  8:45  a.  m.,  a  formation  of  about  18  E.A. 
(who  were  reinforced  by  more  during  the  fight  which  followed) 
seemed  to  dive  on  "C"  flight  of  our  formation.  Our  flight  dived 
into  the  fight.  I  dived  on  to  one  E.A.  who  was  above  the  rest, 
and  followed  him  in  a  wide  half-circle  down  to  the  ground  firing 
about  100  rounds  at  an  average  range  of  100  yards.  E.A.  seemed 
to  be  falling  out  of  control  and  just  at  last  tried  to  straighten  out 
and  land  but  crashed. 

(Sgd.)  Glenn  D.  Wicks. 

I  saw  this  machine  completely  crashed  on  ground  at  57b.G.i3. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  C.  Knotts. 
I  E.A.  destroyed:  ''America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.   Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  22,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


80 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

39 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6034. 

Date:  September  22,  1918. 

Time:  8:45-8:55  a.  m. 

Locality:  Southwest  of  Cambrai. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height :  About  6000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  at  8:45  A.M.,  I  dived  vertically  on 
E.A.  which  was  circling  over  machine  of  our  formation  at  7000- 
8000  feet  and  fired  at  him  from  a  range  of  50  yards.  He  dived 
steeply  past  others  of  our  machines  below,  and  I  could  not  observe 
results,  since  I  turned  to  engage  another  E.A.  which  I  shot  down 
and  which  was  observed  to  crash  by  Lieut.  Dixon  (See  Combat 
Report  9.  22s). 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  about  8:45-8:55  a.  m.,  I  dived  on 
Fokker  biplane  that  came  down  from  among  several  of  our  ma- 
chines who  were  fighting  just  above  me  and,  just  as  he  passed  me 
and  I  was  about  to  fire  on  him,  he  burst  into  flames  and  went 
down  southwest  of  Cambrai. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
I    E.A.   destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  22,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

40 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6034. 

Date:  September  22,  191 8. 

Time:  8:45  a.  m. 

Locality:  S.E.  of  Fontaine-Notre-Dame. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  About  7000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  about  8:45  a.  m.,  I  saw  about  15  to  18 
Fokkers  coming  down,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  from  15000  feet,  over 

81 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Rumllly,  on  our  "C"  flight  formation.  I  dived  to  7000-8000 
into  fight  with  my  formation  and  got  on  the  tail  of  one  E.A., 
firing  a  good  burst  into  him  at  50  yards  or  less,  from  behind  and 
above.  He  went  down  in  side-slips  and  steep  dives  out  of  control. 
I  followed  him  down  to  about  2000  feet,  but  could  not  see  him 
crash  because  of  many  E.A.  attacking  me,  the  original  E.A.  for- 
mation having  been  reenforced. 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
I  saw  this  machine  (E.A.)  crash,  at  57C.F.22,  S.E.  of  Fontaine- 
Notre-Dame. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
I  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  22,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


41 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7896. 

Date:  September  22,  191 8. 

Time:  9:10  A.  M. 

Locality:  5ib.W.22. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  6000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol  about  9:10  a.  m.,  Lieut.  Clements  and 
myself  dived  on  one  of  two  E.A.  below  us.  E.A.  came  around 
under  me  trying  to  escape  Lieut.  Clements;  I  fired  about  300 
rounds,  at  an  average  range  of  about  20  yards.  Saw  pilot  throw 
up  his  hands  as  though  he  had  been  hit,  but  he  apparently  re- 
gained control  again  and  tried  to  land,  but  before  he  could  make 
landing  he  turned  over  on  his  back  and  crashed  into  edge  of 
wood,  at  5i.W.22.a.  where  I  saw  him  later  hanging  upside  down 
in  trees. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  C.  Knotts. 

82 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

I  saw  this  E.A.  crashed  in  wood,  south  of  Cambrai,  near  inter- 
section of  canal  and  road,  at  5ib.W.22.c. 

(Sgd.)  Albert  J.  Schneider. 
I  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  25,  Sept.  22,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

42 

Pilots:  Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Date:  September  22,  191 8. 

Time :  9 :40  A.  M. 

Locality:  Over  Inchy. 

Duty:  OflFensive  Patrol. 

Height:  8000  feet. 

Result:  Indecisive. 
While  on  O.P.,  9 :40  a.  m.,  about  8000  feet  over  Inchy,  my  flight 

attacked  a  Halberstadt  two-seater  and  I  followed  up  firing  about 

75  rounds.     We  followed  him  into  Hunland  about  2  miles  and 

then  left  him  on  approach  of  a  formation  of  Fokkers.     No  eflPect 

of  our  fire  was  observed.  (Sgd.)  W.  T.  Clements. 

I  fired  one  burst  into  above  two-seater.     No  effect  observed. 

We  left  him  on  approach  of  a  formation  of  Fokkers. 

(Sgd.)  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Indecisive:  "America." 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

43 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7896. 

Date:  September  24,  1918. 

Time:  10:40  A.M. 

Locality:  57c.F.i.a.  (Coupez  Mill). 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  6000  feet. 

Result:  2  Fokker  biplanes  destroyed. 

83 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

While  on  O.P.,  at  6000  feet,  about  10:40  a.  m.,  we  were  attacked 
by  a  formation  of  eight  E.A.  who  were  apparently  diving  at  our  lower 
flight.  Lieut.  Clements  went  after  one.  I  went  after  another,  but 
saw  an  E.A.  with  a  green  tail  and  red  fuselage  get  on  Lieut. 
Clements'  tail.  I  immediately  turned  from  the  E.A.  I  was  diving  on 
and  attacked  the  one  on  Lieut.  Clements*  tail.  I  fired  a  long  burst  of 
about  100  rounds,  at  about  40  to  50  yards  range.  He  went  straight 
down  to  the  ground  and  crashed  at  57c.F.i.a.     (Coupez  Mill). 

While  on  the  same  patrol  as  above,  I  turned  back  west  to  pick 
up  my  formation  and  was  fired  on  from  the  rear  by  another  E.A. 
with  a  white  tail.  I  turned  back  and  got  on  his  tail.  At  my  first 
burst  he  burst  into  flames.  While  turning  I  saw  four  more  E.A. 
right  on  top  of  me.  I  dove  and  turned  toward  the  lines  and  came 
directly  back  as  I  was  having  trouble  with  my  guns.  The  four 
E.A.  followed  me  to  the  lines.       (Sgd.)  H.  C.  Knotts. 

2  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.    Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  26,  Sept.  24,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

44 

Pilot:  Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7272. 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 

Time:  10:40  A.M. 

Locality:  57c.  J-P. 

Duty:  OflFensive  Patrol. 

Height:  5000-^000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 
While  on  offensive  patrol,  I  attacked  an  E.A.  (Fokker),  getting 

in  two  bursts  of  75  rounds,  at  20  yards,  after  getting  on  his  tail.     I 

saw  my  tracers  going  directly  into  the  cockpit  of  the  machine. 

E.A.  went  down  apparently  under  control.     I  could  not  observe 

results  on  account  of  the  many  Fokkers  attacking  at  that  moment. 

(Sgd.)  Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 
84 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

45 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 

Time:  10:40  a.  m. 

Locality:  57c.E.27.b. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  6000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  patrol,  at  13000  feet,  at  about  10:40  a.  m., 
eight  Fokkers  started  diving,  apparently  on  our  lowest  formation. 
We  followed  them  down,  catching  them  at  about  5000  to  6000  feet. 
In  fight  which  followed  I  got  on  one  Fokker's  tail,  firing  about  1 50 
rounds,  at  an  average  range  of  about  50  yards.  My  last  burst 
went  directly  into  him  while  he  was  in  a  vertical  bank.  He  went 
into  a  vertical  side-slip,  and  I  pulled  out  on  account  of  other  E.A. 
being  close  on  to  my  tail.  At  this  time  I  was  at  about  1000  feet. 
Within  a  few  minutes  I  saw  a  Fokker  at  his  back  right  under  me, 
on. the  ground  at  57C.E.27  b.i-i. 

(Sgd.)  W.  T.  Clements. 
I  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.S.A.S., 

No.  26,  Sept.  24,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

46 

Pilot:  Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 

Time:  10:40  a.  m. 

Locality:  57C.K.27. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  6000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 

While  on  oflFensive  patrol,  at  13000  feet,  about  10:40  a.  m.  I  saw 
eight  Fokkers  diving,  apparently  on  our  lower  flight.  We  fol- 
lowed, and  I  got  on  E.A.'s  tail  and  followed  him  from  about  8000 
feet  to  3000  firing  about  125  rounds,  at  an  average  range  of  50 

85 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

yards.  My  last  burst  I  saw  go  directly  into  cockpit.  He  turned 
over  on  his  back  and  went  down  in  a  slow  flat  spin  still  on  his 
back.  More  E.A.  prevented  me  from  seeing  him  crash.  This 
was  practially  over  Havrincourt  village  (57C.K.27). 

(Sgd.)  J.  F.  Campbell. 

I  saw  the  E.A.  crashed  by  Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell,  at  3 :5o  p.  M. 
at  57C.K.27. 

Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  H.  C.  Knotts. 

Letter  13  WP.  54,  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

October  12,  1918.  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

CO.  13th  Wing,  R.A.F.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

47 

Pilot:  Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 

Time:  10:45  a.  m.  ' 

Locality:  N.W.  of  Havrincourt. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  7000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 
While  on  off'ensive  patrol,  I  fired  50  rounds  at  7000  feet,  at  50 

yards,  head  on  at  a  Fokker  biplane  that  was  diving  on  Lieut. 

Donoho's  machine.     Result  not  observed  on  account  of  general 

engagement. 

(Sgd.)  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

48 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Date:  September  24,  1918. 
Time:  10:45-10:55  A.  M. 
Locality:  57c.  P-Q. 
Duty:  Off'ensive  Patrol. 
Height:  4000  feet. 

Result :  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 

86 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

I  saw  a  Fokker  chasing  a  Camel  and  shot  a  couple  of  bursts  of 
I  GO  rounds  at  him,  at  4000  feet,  at  50  yards  range  from  the  side. 
He  spun  down.  Was  attacked  from  behind,  turned  and  fired  50 
rounds,  at  75  yards,  at  second  E.A.  who  half  rolled  and  dived 
east.     I  chased  him,  but  he  out-dived  me. 

(Sgd.)  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st.  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


49 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel;  F.  2141. 

Date:  September  24,  1918. 

Time:  10:50  a.  m. 

Locality:  N.W.  of  Havrincourt  (57C.J.23). 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  5000  feet. 

Result :  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

While  on  O.P.,  I  saw  a  Fokker  biplane  dive  at  Lieut.  Dixon 
at  5000  feet,  N.W.  of  Havrincourt  Wood,  at  10:50  a.  m.  Lieut. 
Dixon  half  rolled  and  Fokker  pulled  up  and  half  rolled.  I  half 
rolled  and  fired  a  burst  of  100  rounds  into  him,  at  25  yards  range, 
from  directly  behind.  He  turned  on  his  back  and  continued  to 
spin  on  his  back  down  over  57C.J.23. 

(Sgd.)  H.  Burdick. 

At  10:55  A.  M.  I  saw  a  Fokker  lying  on  its  back  at  57C.J.23. 

(Sgd.)  John  A.  Myers. 

I  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  26,  Sept.  24,  191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


87 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

50 

Pilot:  Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Date:  September  24,  1918. 

Time:  10:45  a.  m. 

Locality:  57c J  and  P. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  7000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 
While  on  offensive  patrol  I  engaged  a  Fokker  head  on,  at  7000 

feet,  at  10:45,  firing  a  burst  of  25  rounds  into  him,  at  15  yards 

range.     No  results  observed  an  account  of  many  Fokkers  diving 

down  and  firipg  all  around  me.       (Sgd.)  John  F.  Donoho. 

(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

51 

Pilot:  Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 

Time:  10:50  A.  M. 

Locality:  Over  Havrincourt  Wood. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Height:  5000-500  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 

While  on  O.P.,  at  about  10:50  A.  M.,  over  Havrincourt  Wood, 
I  followed  a  Fokker  biplane  down  to  about  500  feet;  got  in  several 
bursts  of  about  75  rounds,  at  about  50  to  75  yards,  having  got  on 
his  tail.  He  turned  on  his  back,  righted  himself,  and  turned  on 
his  back  again,  falling  toward  57C.J.  and  P.  I  could  not  follow 
him  to  ground  because  of  turning  against  a  Fokker  that  attacked 
an  S.  E.  5  that  was  driving  another  Fokker  down.  S.E.  landed 
west  of  Havrincourt  Wood  (57C.P.3.)  and  turned  over  on  his  back. 
This  was  about  10:55  a.  m.  (Sgd.)  Albert  J.  Schneider. 

(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 
88 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

52 

Pilot:  Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Date:  September  27,  1918. 

Time:  5:35  p.  m. 

Locality:  57b.C.i5. 

Duty:  OflFensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 

Height:  5000  to  2500  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down  out  of  control. 
While  on  O.P.,  at  5:35  P.  m.,  at  about  5000  feet,  I  saw  an  E.A. 

under  clouds.     I  dived  on  him  and  followed  him  down  to  about 

2500  feet,  firing  about  50  rounds;  closest  range  about  75  yards. 

E.A.  half  rolled  and  went  down  in  a  slow  spin;  did  not  follow  him 

any  lower  as  a  large  formation  of  E.A.  was  above  us,  coming 

down. 

(Sgd.)  J,  F.  Campbell. 
I  saw  the  Fokker  biplane  attacked  by  Lieut.  Campbell  in  a 

slow  spin  about   100  feet  from  the  ground  at  57b.C.i5.     My 

attention  was  drawn  away  by  E.A.  coming  down  from  above  so 

did  not  see  him  crash. 

(Sgd.)  C.  W.  France. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

53 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

Date:  September  28,  1918. 

Time:  (i)  5:45  p.  M.  (2)  6:10  p.  M. 

Locality:  (i)  5ia.T.7.d.  (2)  5ib.X.i2.d. 

Duty:  Offensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 

Height:  (i)  3000  feet  (2)  500  feet. 

Result:  2  Fokkers  destroyed. 

While  on  offensive  and  bombing  patrol,  about  5:45  P.  M.,  at 
3CXX)  feet,  I  went  down  on  an  E.A.  two-seater  (L.V.G.),  from  in 
front  of  him,  and  was  attacked  by  two  Fokkers.  I  manoeuvred, 
got  on  their  tails,  shot  about  100  rounds  into  one,  range  about 

89 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

25  yards.  He  burst  into  flames  at  about  1500  feet  (5ia.T.7.d.). 
Fired  about  50  rounds  into  other  Fokker  with  no  apparent  result. 
Left  him  going  east  and  returned  to  Hnes. 

Saw  three  Fokkers  diving  on  Lieut.  Wicks,  at  6:10  p.  m.,  about 
500  feet.  I  fired  about  25  rounds  from  long  range;  one  E.A.  left 
going  east;  I  closed  in  and  half  rolled  on  to  tail  of  one,  with  red 
nose,  white  tail,  which  was  diving  on  Lieut.  Wicks.  Fired  about 
50  rounds,  at  50  yards.  He  dove  straight  into  ground,  at 
5ib.X.i2.d. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  Burdick. 

I  saw  a  Fokker  biplane,  with  red  nose  and  white  tail,  lying  on 
his  back  on  ground,  at  5ib.X.i2. 

(Sgd.)  H.  P.  Alderman. 

I  saw  a  Fokker,  with  red  nose  and  white  tail,  on  his  back  at 
5ib.X.i2. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
2  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.   Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  26,  Sept.  26,  1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


54 

Pilot:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Date:  September  28,  191 8. 

Time:  5:45  p.  m. 

Locality:  5ia.T.7. 

Duty:  Offensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Result:  i  L.V.G.  two-seater  destroyed. 

While  on  oflFensive  and  bombing  patrol  5:40-5:45  p.  m.,  dived 
on  an  L.V.G.  two-seater,  firing  a  number  of  good  bursts  from 
less  than  50  yards  from  behind,  following  him  down,  from  3000 
to  100  feet,  over  5ia.M.34.  I  saw  him  last  diving  vertical 
into  ground,  at  which  moment  I  was  attacked  by  seven  Fokkers. 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
90 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

I  saw  Lieut  Vaughn,  at  5 :40-5 145  p.  m.,  follow  this  E.A.  down  to 
less  than  50  feet,  at  which  height  the  tworseater  was  diving  di*^ 
rectly  into  ground.  Could  not  see  him  crash  being  attacked  by 
two  Fokkers. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  BuRDicK. 

I  saw  this  two-seater  diving  into  ground,  at  less  than  50  feet, 
when  the  formation  was  attacked  by  Fokkers. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 

This  L.V.G.  two-seater  was  diving  directly  into  ground,  under 
50  feet,  when  I  last  saw  him,  at  about  5:45  P.  M.,  when  I  was 
attacked  by  Fokkers  and  broke  the  leading  edge  of  my  lower  right- 
hand  plane  on  upper  branches  of  a  tree. 

(Sgd.)  Glenn  D.  Wicks. 
I  two-seater  E.A.  (L.V.G.) 
destroyed:  "America.*' 
Confirmed :  Letter  13  WP.  54,    (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
October  12,  1918,  1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

CO.  13th  Wing,  R.A.F.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


55 

Pilot:  Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6183.        « 

Date:  September  28,  1918. 

Time:  5:45  p.  m. 

Locality:  5ib.X.i2. 

Duty:  Offensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  driven  down. 
While  on  offensive  and  bombing  patrol,  at  5:45  P.  m.,  seven 

Fokkers  came  down  at  our  formation.     As  I  was  above  our  forma- 
tion, one  came  at  me.     I  pulled  up  and  fired  30  rounds  and  dove. 

Fokker  did  not  follow,  stopped  firing  and  turned  east, 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
(Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 
1st  Lieut.  U.  S.A.  S., 
Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

91 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

56 

Pilots:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 
Date:  October  2,  1918. 
Time:  9:10  a.  m. 

Locality:  East  of  Awoingt  (57b. B. 23.). 
Duty:  Offensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Result:  i  D.F.W.  two-seater  destroyed. 

While  on  O.P.,  immediately  after  dropping  bombs  on  Awoingt, 
saw  2  two-seaters,  at  3500  feet,  at  9:10  a.  m.,  just  E.  of  Awoingt. 
Fired  at  them  and  they  dived  east.  Lieut.  Burdick  and  I  fol- 
lowed one  D.F.W.,  with  orange  fuselage  and  camouflaged  wings, 
and  shot  him  down  attacking  first  from  the  front.  I  got  in  150 
rounds  from  75  yards.  He  went  down  in  half-dive,  half-spin, 
and  crashed  into  the  ground  at  57b. B. 23. 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 

While  on  O.P.,  we  dropped  bombs  from  3000  feet,  on  Awoingt, 
at  9:10  A.  M.,  and  immediately  saw  2  two-seaters  slightly  above 
us  just  to  east  of  Awoingt.  Lieut.  Vaughn  and  I  engaged  one  of 
them,  a  D.F.W.,  and  shot  him  down,  firing  about  150  rounds  from 
75  yards  or  under.     He  crashed  into  the  ground  at  57b. B. 23. 

(Sgd).  Howard  Burdick. 

I  saw  this  D.F.W.,  shot  down  by  Lieuts.  Vaughn  and  Burdick, 
crash  at  57b. B. 23. 

(Sgd.)  G.  D.  Wicks. 

Lieuts.  Vaughn  and  Burdick  attacked  a  D.F.W.  just  east  of 
Awoingt  and  shot  him  down.  I  saw  him  crash  at  57b.B.23.,  a 
few  minutes  after  9:10  A.  M. 

(Sgd.)  Frank  A.  Dixon. 
I  E.  A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ast  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  27,  October  2, 1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


92 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

57 

Pilots:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  830. 
Date:  October  14,  1918. 
Time:  7:10  a.  m. 

Locality:  E.  of  Bazuel  (57a.M.22.). 
Duty:  Special  Bombing  Raid. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Result:  i  Halberstadt  two-seater  destroyed. 

While  on  special  bombing  raid,  on  October  14th,  at  7:10  a.  m., 
saw  2  two-seaters  just  east  of  Bazuel  (57a.R.8)  at  1500  feet, 
a  Halberstadt  and  an  L.V.G.,  which,  after  dropping  our  bombs 
on  Bazuel,  Lieut.  Burdick  and  I  attacked,  firing  200  rounds  from 
75-100  yards  at  Halberstadt  and  sending  it  down. 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 

While  on  special  bombing  raid,  on  October  14,  at  7:10  a.  m., 
saw  2  two-seaters,  at  57a.R.8.,  to  the  east  of  Bazuel,  at  1500 
feet.  Lieut.  Vaughn  and  I  attacked  a  Halberstadt.  I  fired  100 
rounds  from  75-100  yards  and  saw  it  crash  at  about  7:12  A.  M.,  at 
57a.M.22.a.     L.V.G.  got  away  north. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  Burdick. 

I  E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

R.A.F.  Communique,  ist  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

No.  29,  October  14, 1918.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 

58 

Pilots:  Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2007. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  830. 
Date:  October  14,  1918. 
Time:  2:00  p.  m. 

Duty:  Off'ensive  and  Bombing  Patrol. 
Height:  From  2500  feet  to  ground. 
Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  destroyed. 

93 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

While  on  low  bombing  patrol,  at  5ia.Q.23,  a  Fokker  biplane 
came  in  front  of  formation  in  a  spin.  In  front  of  me  it  flattened 
out  and  I  fired  a  short  burst.  E.A.  went  into  spin,  flattened  out 
near  ground  and  landed. 

(Sgd.)  G.  A.  Vaughn. 

I  fired  one  burst  into  E.A.,  as  above. 

(Sgd.)  J.  A.  Myers. 

While  on  off*ensive  and  low  bombing  patrol,  at  2:00  p.  M.  near 
Hausey  (northeast),  saw  a  Fokker  spinning  down  among  our 
formation.  I  fired  about  50  rounds  from  25  yards  at  him  and 
followed  him  down.  E.A.  landed  successfully  at  5ia.Q.25. 
Pilot  got  out  and  started  to  run  across  field.  I  dove  on  him  and 
fired  at  him  from  about  5  or  10  feet  from  ground  and  very  close. 
He  fell  in  the  field  about  100  yards  from  the  machine  (west)  and 
was  lying  there  when  I  left.  I  fired  my  remaining  ammunition 
at  the  Fokker  trying  to  set  it  on  fire. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  Burdick. 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Samuel  B.  Eckert, 

G.H.Q.,  R.A.F.,  ist  Lieut.,  U.  S.  A.  S., 

October  14, 191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


59 

Pilot:  Lieut.  H.  Burdick  flying  Sopwith  Camel,  H.  830. 

Date:  October  25,  1918. 

Time:  10:55  a.  M. 

Duty:  Offensive  Patrol. 

Locality:  Near  Mormal  Forest. 

Height :  7000  feet. 

Result:  i  Fokker  biplane  in  flames. 

While  on  O.P.,  I  left  formation  at  10:50  A.  M.,  and  attacked 
leading  E.A.  of  a  formation  of  five  Fokker  biplanes  at  7000  feet 
that  were  going  N.W.,  somewhere  near  Mormal  Forest  (impossible 
to  see  the  ground).  I  fired  about  40  rounds  at  75  yards,  diving 
on  him  from  the  front  and  immediately  pulled  up  in  a  cHmbing 

94 


COMBAT  REPORTS 

turn  and  went  west  to  rejoin  my  formation.  I  saw  the  Fokker 
fall  out  of  control,  start  to  spin,  and  burst  into  flames  after  he 
had  spun  down  about  looo  feet. 

(Sgd.)  Howard  Burdick. 

I   E.A.  destroyed:  "America." 
Confirmed:  (Sgd.)  Weston  W.  Goodnow. 

G.H.Q.,  R.  A.  F.,  1st  Lieut.  U.  S.  A.  S., 

October  25, 191 8.  Commanding  17th  Squadron. 


95 


CHAPTER  VI 

Report  of  Low  Bombing  and  Machine  Gun 
Attack  on  Varssenaere  Aerodrome 

Dawn:  August   13,   1918. 

IIEUT.  LLOYD  A.  HAMILTON:  Dropped  four  bombs  on 
north  hangars  from  about  200  feet,  shot  fifty  rounds 
-^  into  the  windows  of  the  chateau,  made  four  circuits  of 
the  field  shooting  at  a  row  of  five  Fokkers  on  the  ground  with 
engines  running  up.  On  first  circuit  shot  first  enemy  machine 
in  this  line  and  saw  it  burst  into  flames,  on  third  circuit  shot  third 
enemy  machine  in  the  line  and  saw  it  burst  into  flames. 

Lieut.  Robert  M.  Todd:  Dropped  four  bombs  from  250  feet 
on  chateau,  fired  a  number  of  rounds  into  the  chateau  and  at 
machines  and  personnel  on  the  ground.  Saw  northeast  hangars 
blazing;  saw  seven  enemy  machines  burning  on  the  ground. 

Lieut.  Albert  J.  Schneider:  Dropped  two  bombs  on  hangars 
and  two  on  machine  gun  emplacements  from  about  250  feet  and 
shot  pilot  getting  into  one  of  the  Fokkers  lined  up  on  the  aero- 
drome. 

Lieut.  WilHam  H.  Shearman:  Dropped  four  bombs  from  about 
200  feet  on  buildings,  apparently  billets,  to  the  east  of  hangars; 
saw  bombs  burst  and  the  buildings  start  to  smoke;  shot  down 
man  on  his  way  to  machine  gun;  shot  one  burst  into  one  of  a  rdW 
of  four  enemy  machines  on  the  ground  and  saw  tracers  going 
directly  into  hood  of  the  engine;  shot  into  barracks  and  on  way 
home  at  the  crew  of  the  anti-aircraft  gun  to  the  west  of  the  aero- 
drome. 

Lieut.  Floyd  M.  Showalter:  Dropped  four  bombs  on  hangars 
from  about  200  feet;  fired  600  rounds  into  chateau,  hangars,  and 
anti-aircraft  batteries  on  the  way  home. 

Lieut.  Weston  W.  Goodnow:  Dropped  four  bombs  from  about 
200  feet  on  machine  shops  which  were  afterwards  seen  to  be 

97 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

burning;  shot  into  a  row  of  machines  on  the  ground,  two  were  al- 
ready burning;  smoke  came  from  third  afterwards. 

Lieut.  George  T.  Wise:  Dropped  four  bombs  from  about  200 
feet  on  machine  shops.  Three  machines  were  burning  on  the 
ground;  one  other  beginning  to  burn.  Saw  shops  on  fire;  made 
three  trips  around  the  aerodrome  shooting  at  enemy  machines 
on  the  ground  and  into  hangars. 

Lieut.  Merton  L.  CampbeU:  Dropped  four  bombs  into  north 
hangars  from  about  200  feet;  machine  gunned  chateau  and  enemy 
machines  on  the  ground;  machine  gunned  anti-aircraft  batteries 
on  the  way  home. 

Lieut.  Lyman  E.  Case:  Dropped  four  bombs  on  machine  shops 
from  about  200  feet;  shot  400  rounds  into  enemy  machines  on 
ground;  saw  two  Fokkers  destroyed  by  fire  and  one  struck  by 
bomb;  saw  fires  on  northeast  side  of  aerodrome. 

Lieut.  Leonard  J.  Desson:  Dropped  four  bombs  on  chateau  from 
about  300  feet  and  fired  into  windows;  was  compelled  to  climb  as  air 
pressure  was  dead  and  had  to  depend  on  gravity  and  hand  pump. 

Lieut.  Frank  A.  Dixon :  Lost  patrol  and  being  unable  to  locate 
it  dropped  four  bombs  on  Ostend  from  6000  feet. 

Lieut.  Rodney  D.  Williams :  Returned  at  5  :io  a.  m.  with  broken 
connecting  rods. 


REPORTS   ON   LOW  BOMBING  AND  MACHINE   GUN  ATTACKS   ON 
ENEMY   INFANTRY  AND  TRANSPORT 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  1-23,  page  i. 

No.  and  type  of  machines :  Date :  August  23 ,  191 8 . 

Sopwith  Camels,  F  2157,  Locality:  57c.S.7.b. 
D.  6595,  F.  5967,6.9263.  , 

Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton.  Dropped  i  bomb  at  i  :io  p.  m.  near  sta- 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2157.    tionary  transport,  about  12  lorries  on 

road    between    Bazentin-le-Petit    and 
Martinpuich;  fired  about  600  rounds  at 
transport  at  about  200  feet. 
98 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  R.  D.  Williams. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6595, 


Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967, 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  9263, 


Dropped  3  bombs  on  same  road. 
Dropped  bomb  near  and  fired  about 
400  rounds  into  gun  pit,  at  about  57c. 
S.7.b.,  at  about  200  feet. 

3  bombs  near  transport  between  Ba- 
zentin-le-Petit  and  Martinpuich;  fired 
about  200  rounds  into  same  transport. 

Dropped  4  bombs  on  transport  of  about 
25  horse  and  motor  vehicles  moving 
towards  lines  on  road  between  Bazen- 
tin-le-Petit  and  Flers.  Fired  about 
400  rounds;  saw  drivers  and  horses  scat- 
tering in  the  fields. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  2-23,  page  i. 

No.  and  type  of  machines:  Date:  August  23,  191 8. 

Sopwith  Camels,  D.  1940,    Locality:  Martinpuich — ^Le  Barque 
D.  9399,  D.  6513,  B.  5428.  and  Courcellette — Bapaume  roads. 


Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1940. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6513. 
Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  5428. 


At  2  p.  M.  dropped  4  bombs  on  long 
transport,  probably  25  to  30  horse- 
drawn  vehicles,  on  Martinpuich — Le 
Barque  Road,  57C.M.  28  and  27.  Shot 
about  600  rounds  into  them.  Saw  at 
least  two  direct  hits  and  at  least  two  ve- 
hicles destroyed  and  many  dead  horses, 
others  scattering.  Transport  going 
toward  Bapaume. 

At  2  p.  M.  dropped  4  bombs  as  above 
and  shot  600  rounds  into  transport. 
At  2  p.  M.  dropped  4  bombs  on  trans- 
port Courcellette — Bapaume  Road,  fir- 
ing about  600  rounds. 

99 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd.  At  2  p.  m.  dropped  4  bombs  on  balloon 

Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9399.  on  ground  at  57C.N.31.  Shot  at  trans- 
port on  Martinpulch — Le  Barque  Road 
and  machine  gunned  driver  running  to 
ditch  and  killed  him.  Attacked  ma- 
chine gun  emplacement  on  same  road, 
killing  both  gunners  and  putting  ma- 
chine gun  out  of  action.  Flying  at  50 
to  ICO  feet,  saw  many  dead  horses. 

Remarks. 

Saw  many  enemy  troops  proceeding  toward  Bapaume  in  side 
roads.  Le  Transloy — Bapaume  and  Flers — Ligny-Thilloy  roads 
and  Albert — Bapaume  road  very  little  traffic. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  B.  7407, 
C.  8337,  F.  1964,  F.  2164. 


No.  3-23,  page  I. 
Date:  August  23, 191 8. 
Locality:  Bapaume  road 
through  Le  Transloy. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7407. 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  1964. 


Time:  5:50  p.  m.  Dropped  4-20  lb. 
bombs  on  8  lorries  halted  at  meeting 
of  4  roads  at  57C.N.24.  Saw  hits,  and 
bombs  of  rest  of  flight  drop  in  and  about 
transport  and  personnel.  Fired  500 
rounds  from  about  locx)  feet  at  trans- 
port and  personnel. 

Time:  5:50  P.  M.  Dropped  3-20  lb. 
bombs  from  1000  feet  in  and  about 
transport  at  same  spot  as  above.  Saw 
bombs  drop  beside  road  and  in  ditches, 
fired  at  transport  and  personnel.  Fired 
a  number  of  rounds  at  a  balloon  on 
ground  at  57C.N.24.C. 
100 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  G.  T.  Wise. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164. 


Time:  5:50  p.  M.  Dropped  3-20  lb. 
bombs  on  same  transport  as  above  and 
one  bomb  on  hut,  at  57C.N.30.C.,  which 
was  seen  to  burn.  Dived  on  about  a 
half  a  company  of  infantry  on  side-road 
near  by,  scattering  them.  Then  at- 
tacked a  machine  gun  emplacement  by 
Eaucourt,  firing  about  200  rounds. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke.  Time:  5:50  p.  m.     Dropped  4-20  lb. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.    bombs  on  five  lorries  at  cross-roads, 

57C.N.25.C.  Saw  one  bomb  drop  be- 
tween two  lorries.  Guns  jammed; 
flew  away;  cleared  guns;  came  back 
and  machine  gunned  four  lorries  re- 
maining, firing  about  500  rounds. 

Remarks. 

On  account  of  severe  machine  gun  fire  from  the  ground  and 
smoke  and  dusk  from  bombs  bursting,  could  not  observe  amount 
of  damage  done  but  would  consider  it  quite  extensive  as  these 
hits  on  transports  were  all  practically  direct. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  2157, 
D.  6595,  F.  5967,  B.  9263. 


No.  4-23,  page  I. 
Date:  August  23,  1918. 
Locality:  S.W.  of  Bapaume. 


Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2157. 


Time:  6:45  P.  M.  Dropped  4-20  lb. 
bombs  from  500  feet  on  6  lorries  on 
road  S.W.  of  Bapaume,  57C.M.31  and 
32.  Saw  bombs  burst  among  trans- 
port and  I  lorry  blown  over  on  side. 
14  Fokkers  above  Bapaume  uniting 
to  come  down. 


lOI 


-HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Lieut.  R.  D.  Williams. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6595. 


Landed  at  aerodrome  at  No.  3  Squad- 
ron, R.A.F.  Wounded  in  back  by  bul- 
let through  petrol  tank;  came  all  the  way 
back  with  finger  in  hole  of  petrol  tank. 
Was  seen  by  Lieut.  Tipton  shooting  at 
transport  from  100  feet;  apparently 
dropped  bombs  at  same  spot. 

Had  forced  landing  near  Auxi-le- 
Chateau  just  after  taking  off.  Crashed ; 
pilot  unhurt  (engine  trouble). 

Time:  6:45  P.  M.  Dropped  4-20  lb. 
bombs  on  same  transport;  fired  200 
rounds  from  1000  feet.  Saw  Lieut. 
Tipton's  and  some  of  Lieut.  WiUiams' 
drop  in  and  about  the  lorries.  Saw 
Lieut.  Tipton's  bomb  overturn  a  lorry. 


Remarks. 

Practically  all  bombs  were  direct  hits  on  this  transport;  one 
lorry  was  destroyed  and  others  apparently  damaged;  much  con- 
fusion was  noticed  among  personnel.  Very  little  troop  move- 
ment noticed;  all  transport  moving  N.E.  Lieut.  Williams  in 
C.C.S.,  Gezaincourt. 


Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  9263 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines 
Sopwith  Camels,  D.  1940, 
D.  6513,  C.  141,  D.  8337, 
F.  5985. 

Lieut.  L.  A.  Hamilton. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  1940. 
Time:  2:10  p.  m. 
Height:  icxx)  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  unknown. 
Bombs  dropped  4-20  lb. 


No.  ia-24,  page  I. 
Date:  August  24,  1918. 


Bombs  on  hut  and  transport  at  57c. 
L20.    With  Lieut.  Campbell  destroyed 
a  balloon  at  57C.L34. 
Did  not  return;  last  seen  out  of  control 
by  Lieut.  Campbell. 


102 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.  Dropped  4  bombs  on  same  hut  as 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6513.  above.  Fired  with  Lieut.  Hamilton 
Time:  2:10  p.  m.  on  balloon.     Saw  it  burst  into  flames 

Height:  1000  feet.  and  go  down. 

Rounds  fired :  200. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  B.  Frost. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  141. 
Time:  2:25  p.  m. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  200. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Bombs  on  transport  at  fork  by  town 
of  Queant  (57c.d.28)  going  east — 
about  40  lorries  densely  packed. 
Bombs  fell  among  lorries.  Saw  E.A. 
on  ground,  5ib.S.23.b. 


Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider.  Bombs  dropped  between  railroad  and 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  6513.  road  at  Vaulx  Vraucourt.  Got  one  di- 
Time :  3  :oo  p.  m.  rect  hit  and  saw  another  burst  near 

Height:  1500  feet.  train  apparently  loading  or  unloading. 

Rounds  fired :  unknown.  Saw  about  a  battalion  of  infantry  and 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb.  what  appeared  to  be  two  tanks  S.W.  of 

Bapaume. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke.  Bombs  dropped  on  guns  going  west  at 


Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 
Time:  3:20  p.  m. 
Height:  1000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  G.  T.  Wise. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F. 
Time:  3:20  p.  m. 


5985. 


57C.C.18.  Shot  at  small  body  of  troops 
accompanying  guns.  Men  scattered. 
Shot  at  one  balloon  on  ground  and  one 
off  ground,  57c. B. 24.  Could  not  see 
effect. 

Not  returned  from  patrol  at  5:25  p.  m. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  1964, 
B.  7407. 


No.  ia-24. 

Date:  August  24,  191 8. 
LocaHty:  Bapaume-Cam- 
brai  Road,  57C.H.30. 


103 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.  Dropped  4  bombs  on  isolated  trans- 

Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7407.  port,  Bapaume — Cambrai  Road,  57c.- 

Time:3:i5  p.  m.  H.30.     Dropped  beside  it.      Fired  200 

Height:  lOCXD  feet.  rounds  on  balloon  on  ground  at  57c.- 

Rounds  fired:  200.  H.22. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.  Dropped  4  bombs  on  same  transport. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  1964.  Did  not  see  effect.     Fired  300  rounds 

Time:  3:15  p.  M.  into   transport   after   most   of  it   had 

Height:  1000  feet.  stopped. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines; 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8337, 
F.  1964. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 
Time:  6:30  p.  m. 
Height:  1000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped,  4-20  lb. 


No.  2a-24. 

Date:  August  24,  1918. 

Locality:  57C.N.30. 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  1964. 
Time:  6:30?.  m. 
Height:  icoo  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


4  bombs  on  cross  road;  one  burst  near 
transport  and  one  among  transport. 
Other  two  unseen.  Saw  transport 
and  troops  on  road  to  the  south.  Fired 
300  rounds  from  800  feet  at  them. 
They  scattered  and  saw  many  fall. 
Horses  on  road  to  the  north.  Shot 
150  rounds  into  them.  Transport 
moving  east  greatly  congested,  both 
horse  and  lorry. 

Dropped  bombs  on  horse  and  motor 
transport  going  east  and  southeast 
near  Le  Transloy. 


104 


BOMBING  REPORTS 
8 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  2157, 
F.  1950. 


No.  2a-24,  page  i. 
Date:  August  24,  191 8. 
Locality:  Bancourt — Haplin- 
court  and   Bapaume — Cam- 
brai  roads. 


Lieut.  W.  D.  Tipton.  Fifty  lorries  in  groups  of  6  to  12  moving 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2157.  southeast  between  Bancourt  and  Hap- 

Time:  7:10  p.  M.  Hncourt.     Dropped  i  bomb  on  a  line 

Height:  1200  feet.  of  12.     Four   stopped   apparently  hit 

Rounds  fired:  500.  and  others  went  around.     All  traffic 

Bombs  dropped,  1-20  lb.  moving  east  and  southeast. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks.  Saw  bombs  burst  among  same  trans- 
Sop  with  Camel,  F.  1950.  port  as  above.     Three  big  guns  moving 


Time:  7:10  p.  m. 
Height:  1200. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 
Bombs  dropped:  1-20  lb. 


toward  Cambrai  at  7:20  p.  m.,  ref: 
57C.J.8  and  9.  Many  lorries  on  Ba- 
paume and  Cambrai  road.  Dived  on 
some  of  these  firing  about  200  rounds. 
Fired  200  rounds  at  the  guns. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  2164, 
B.  9263. 

Lieut.  R.  M.  Todd. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164. 
Time:  7:45  P.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


No.  2a-24. 

Date:  August  24,  1918. 

Locality:  Vaulx-Vraucourt. 


Dropped  bombs  on  town  of  Vaulx 
Vraucourt.  Seven  Fokkers,  two  two- 
seaters  above.  Returned  home  at  1000 
feet. 


los 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon.  Dropped  2  bombs  at  570.28. b.  and  2 

Sopwith  Camel,  B.  9263.  at  57c.26.b.  on  transport  on  road,  mov- 


Time:  7:45  p.  m. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  200. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


ing  east.  Fired  200  rounds  at  trans- 
port. Saw  7  Fokkers  overhead.  Saw 
Camel  marked  "24"  before  national 
marking,  "N"  behind,  fire  bursts  at 
57c.36.b.  and  saw  burst  on  ground  and 
fire — evidently  result  of  Camel's  fire. 

Remarks. 

Very  little  enemy  aerial  activity  marked  early  part  of  the  day. 
Considerable,  however,  in  the  afternoon.  Traffic  on  roads  quite 
congested  and  all  moving  east  and  southeast. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machine: 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7896. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  7896. 
Time:  3:50  p.  M. 
Height:  800-900  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped:  nil. 


10 

Date:  September  24,  191 8. 
Locality:  Bapaume — Cam- 
brai  road. 

Saw  500  troops  and  two  lorries  on 
Bapaume — Cambrai  road,  coming  west 
at  3 :50.  Went  down  to  800-900  feet, 
fired  at  them,  hit  ammunition  dump, 
by  the  side  of  road  (57c.E.29.a.)  which 
exploded.  This  explosion  was  seen 
from  A.L.G.  by  a  ground  officer  of  59 
Squadron;  also  seen  by  Lieut.  Springs, 
148th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 


11 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
H.  7272,  F.  5967,  F.  2141, 
F.6i38,C.8352,  C.  3351, 
F.  2142,  F.  5993,  F.  2146, 
D.  3396,  D.  9423,  F.  6024, 
C.  8337. 


No.  3a-27-s. 

Date:  September  27,  191 8. 

Locality:  57c.  F.  13-14-15. 


106 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.         Dropped   bombs    on   Fontaine-Notre- 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.     Dame. 

Time:  10:45  A.  M. 

Height:  2500  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7272. 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks.  Dropped  bombs  near  Bourlon  Wood. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Time:  10:45  a.  m. 

Height:  2500  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2 141. 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height :  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Time:  10:45  A.  M. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired,  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

107 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.     Dropped  bombs  near  Bourlon  Wood. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Time:  10 .-45  A.  M. 

Height:  2500  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb.  ' 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3  3  5 1 . 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  W.  L.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4~20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Time:  10:45  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  2-20  lb. 

108 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Dropped  bombs  near  Bapaume — ^Cam- 
brai  road. 


Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time :  1 1  :oo  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  2-20  lb. 


Major  H.  L.  Fowler.  Dropped   bombs   on   main   road 

Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9423.  west  of  Fontaine-Notre-Dame. 
Time:  10:45  A.M. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  2-20  lb. 


I 

1 


just 


Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 
Time:  10:45  A.  M. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  2-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 
Time:  10:45  a.  m. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  1-20  lb. 


Dropped  bombs  near  Bourlon  Wood. 


Dropped  bomb  near  Bourlon  Wood. 


12 


17th  Squadron,  U.  S.  A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  5993, 
F.  2146,  F.  6024,  D.  3396, 
H.  828,  F.  5967,  F.  2141, 
F.  6138,  F.  6194,  F-  2164, 
C.  8397,  F.62ii,C.  3351, 
H.  7272. 


No.  4a-27-s. 

Date:  September  27,  191 8. 
Locality:  Canal de TEscaut 
at  Marcoing. 


109 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.  Dropped  bombs  on  troops  on  approach 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164.  to  bridge  over  Canal  de  TEscaut  at 
Time:  4:30  p.  m.  Marcoing. 

Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7272. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.  «  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick.  "  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider,  "  « 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  B.  3396. 

no 


BOMBING  REPORTS 
13 


17th  Squadron,  U.  S.  A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  6024, 
H.  828,  F.  2141,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 
Time:  5:00  to  8:50  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  6:40  A.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 
Time :  5  :oo-5 :30  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 
Time:  5 :oo-5 :30  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  i~20  lb. 


No.  5a-28-s. 

Date:  September  28,  191 8. 

Locality :  Naves  and  Cambrai. 


Dropped  bombs  on  Naves,  57a.T.23. 
Fired  200  rounds  on  Naves  and  2CX) 
rounds  on  lorries  in  main  square,  Cam- 
brai, from  3000  feet,  at  8:00  a.  m. 
One  enemy  balloon,  east  of  Cambrai, 
about  500  feet  high. 

Four  bombs  on  Faubourg  de  Paris. 


Ill 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


14 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352, 
F.  2142,  F.  621 1,  H.  7272, 
H.  828,  F.  5967,  F.  2141, 
F.  6138,  F.  6249,  F.  2164, 
F.  5993,  F.  2146,  H.  7281, 
F.  6024,  D.  3396. 


No.  5h-28-s. 

Date:  September  28, 1918. 

Locahty:  Rumilly. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 
Time:  4:55  p.  M. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 
Time:  5:10  p.  m. 
Height:  3500-800  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  1 50. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Time:  5:10-5:15  p.  m. 
Height:  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  300. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164. 
Time:  5:10-5:15  p.  m. 
Height:  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  300. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  balloon.  No  effects 
observed.  Railway  bridge,  at  57b. 
A.9-b,  seen  to  burst  into  white  smoke 
on  the  Cambrai  end,  at  5:10  p.  m. 


Dropped  two  bombs  on  balloon  from 
3500  feet,  at  4:55  p.  M.,  57b.G.i8. 
Two  bombs  on  Awoingt  from  2500  feet, 
at  5:10  p.  M.  Fired  150  rounds  at  rail- 
way station,  57b. B. 20,  at  5:10,  from 
800  feet.     Train  passing  came  to  a  stop. 

Four  bombs  on  Awoingt  from  3000  feet, 
at  5 :  10  p.  M.  Fired  300  rounds  on  road 
S.E.  of  Cambrai,  from  2000  feet,  at 
5:15  p.  M.  Heavy  machine  gun  and 
AA  fire  from  ground. 


112 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Time:  5:10-5:15  P.  m. 
Height:  3CXX>-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  250. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  Awoingt  from  3000  feet, 
at* 5  :io  p.  M.  Fired  300  rounds  on  road 
S.E.  of  Cambrai,  from  2000  feet,  at 
5:15  P.  M.  Heavy  machine  gun  and 
AA  fire  from  ground. 


Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 
Time:5:io-5:i5  p.  m. 
Height :  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time:  5:10-5:15  P.  m. 
Height:  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  5:'io-5:i5  p.m. 
Height:  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 
Time:  5:00-5:30  p.  m. 
Height:  2000-1000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  road  S.E.  of  Cambrai. 
Fired  300  rounds  into  moving  traffic  on 
the  Masnieres — Cambrai  road,  just  out- 
side Cambrai  and  on  other  roads  in  this 
vicinity. 


113 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Time:  5:00-5:30  P.  m. 
Height:  3000-1000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  road  S.E.  of  Cambrai. 
Fired  300  rounds  into  moving  traffic  on 
the  Masnieres — Cambrai  road,  just  out- 
side Cambrai  and  on  other  roads  in  this 
vicinity. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.  Four  bombs  on  57b.  H.  19-20.     Fired 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.  200  rounds  at  Cambrai-Rumilly  road, 

Time:  4:55-5:00  p.  m.  at  a  lorry  from  500  feet  at  5:00  p.  m.; 

Height:  2500-900  feet.  also   fired   into  village   (Faubourg  de 

Rounds  fired :  200.  Paris),  filled  with  troops. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 
Time:4:55-'::oo  p.  m. 
Height:  2500-900  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  57b.H.  19-20,  from 
2500  feet  at  4:55  p.  m.  Fired  100 
rounds  into  Wambaix  station  and 
into  a  train  in  station  facing  E.  from 
2000-900  feet,  at  5 : 00  p.  M. 


15 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352, 

C.  8337,  C.  3351,  F.  2142, 
F.  621 1,  H.  7272,  F.  5993, 
F.  2146,  H.  7281,  F.  6024, 

D.  3396,  H.  828,  F.  2141, 
F.  6249. 


No.  6a-29-s. 

Date:  September  29,  191 8. 

Locality:  Cambrai. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 
Time:  6:40-7:15  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  Awoingt,  57b. B. 26. 
Fire  in  Cambrai,  by  island  in  canal, 
at  6 :40  a.  m. 


114 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers.  Four  bombs  on  Awoingt,  57b.  B.  26. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.    Fifty  rounds  on  Cambrai,  at  7:15  a.  m. 
Time:7:i5  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  50. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 
Time:  7:15  A.  M. 
Height:  30CX)  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dfopped :  4--20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  Awoingt,  57b.  B.  26. 


Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 
Time:  640-7:15  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211 
Time:  6:40-7:15  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  57b. A. 21.  Fired  100 
rounds  at  Cambrai,  at  7:15  a.  m.  from 
about  3000  feet.  Saw  fire  at  Bantigny. 
Two  large  explosions  in  N.W.  part  of 
Cambrai,  at  8  :oo  A.  M. 


Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson.  Four  bombs  on  3  four-horse  transport 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7272.  going  west,  from  3000  feet,  at  7:00  a.  m. 

Time:  6:40-7:15  a.  m.  Fired  150  rounds  at  train  going  south 

Height:  3000  feet.  into  Cambrai,  at  7:25  a.  m.       Seven 

Rounds  fired:  150.  Fokkers  over  Cambrai  at  7:55  A.  M. — 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb.  too  high  for  us  to  attack. 

IIS 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Time:  7:15-8:00  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  6:40-7:15  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4^20  lb. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time:  7:15  A.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  at  57a. T. 23,  on 
road  and  R.R.,  at  7:10  a.  m.,  from  3000 
feet.  Large  fire  in  western  part  of 
Cambrai.  Fired  500  rounds  on  road 
leading  east  out  of  Cambrai. 


16 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352, 
F.  6211,  C.  8337,  F.  5993, 
F.  2164,  H.  7281,  F.  6024, 
D.  3396,  F.  2164,  F.  2141, 
F.  6138,  F.  6249. 


No.  7a-29-s. 

Date:  September  29,  1918. 
Locality:  Honnecourt,  Bantou- 
zelle,  and  Vendhuille. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 
Time:  1:30  p.  m. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Honnecourt 
(57b .  S .  7b).  Fired  300  rounds  at  same 
town  and  at  Bantouzelle  and  Vend- 
huille.    Cambrai  on  fire. 


116 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 
Time:  1:30?.  m. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 
Time:  1:30?.  m. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Time:  1:30?.  m. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time:  1:30  p.  m. 
Height:  2CX)0  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 
Time:  1:35  p.  m. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400, 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Honnecourt 
(57b.  S. 7b).  Fired  300  rounds  at  same 
town  and  at  Bantouzelle  and  Vend- 
huille.     Cambrai  on  fire. 


Dropped  four  bombs,  at  1:30  p.  m., 
from  2000  feet  on  Honnecourt.  Fired 
ICXD  rounds  into  villages  (Bantouzelle 
and  Vendhuille).  Heavy  M.G.  fire  from 
ground.  A  Camel  "N"  of  148th 
Sqdn.  seen  on  back  at  57C.J.26C  or  25d. 
A  Camel  marked  "E"  on  ground  on 
back,  on  Arras — Doullens  road,  at  5  ic.R. 
Fire  in  Cambrai,  at  57b.A.i7d — in  a 
factory.  Visibility,  nil.  Troop  move- 
ment, nil. 

400  rounds  on  bridges  and  on  Vend- 
huille at  working  parties  and  M.G. 
companies,  at  1:35  p.  m.,  from  20CX) 
feet.  Dropped  four  bombs  from  2000 
feet  on  Honnecourt. 


117 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Bantouzelle, 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.  at  1:35  p.  M.,  from  20C>D  feet.  Fired 
Time:  1:35  P.  M.  300  rounds  on  roads  leading  out  of 
Height:  2000  feet.  Bantouzelle  and  on  three  motor  trans- 
Rounds  fired:  300.  ports,  in  same  place,  from  1800  feet. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb.  One   enemy  balloon,   2500  feet,   four 

miles  N^E.  of  Bantouzelle. 

Lieut.  E.D.White. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Time:  1:35  P.  m. 

Height:  2000  feet. 

Rounds  fired:  250.  ^ 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  1:35  p.  m. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  7CX). 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Many  fires  in  Cambrai. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  1:35  p.  m. 
Height:  20CX)  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 
Bombs  dropped :  4--20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs,  at  1:35  p.  m., 
on  canal,  just  north  of  Honnecourt 
(57.b.S7b).  Fired  100  rounds  at  a 
balloon  which  was  pulled  down. 


Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Time:  1:35  p.  m. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  200. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


118 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick.  Dropped  four  bombs,  at  1:35  p.  m., 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141.    on  canal,   just   north   of  Honnecourt 
Time:  1:35  p.  M.  (57.b.S7b).      Fired    icx)   rounds   at   a 

Height:  2000  feet.  balloon  which  was  pulled  down. 

Rounds  fired :  200. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

17 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  8a-i-o. 

No.  and  types  of  machines:  Date:  October  i,  191 8. 

Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352,  Locality:  Awoingt. 

C.  8337,  C.  3351,  F.2142, 

F.  621 1,  F.  5993,  F.  2146, 

H.  7281,  F.  6024,  H.  828, 

F.  5967,  F.  2141,  F.  6249, 

F.  6138,  F.  2164. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.         Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt;  burst 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.     observed  in  town. 

Time:  10:40  a.  m. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 
Time:  10:40  A.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

119 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt;  burst 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249.    observed  in  town. 

Time:  10:40  a.  m. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Rounds  fired:  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt, 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352.  about  10:40  a.  m.,  from  3000  feet. 
Time:  10:40  A.  M.  Large  explosion  observed. 

Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


120 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 
Time:  10:40  A.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt, 
about  10:40  A.  M.  from  3000  feet. 
Also  observed  explosions  in  Awoingt. 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height :  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt,  at 
10:40  A.  M.,  from  3000  feet. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


121 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider.        Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt,  at 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024.     10:40  A.  m.,  from  3000  feet. 

Time:  10:40  a.  m. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6124. 
Time:  10:40  a.  m. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
F.  6138,  F.  6249,  F.  5993, 
F.  2146,  D.  3396,  F.  6024, 
C.  3852,  C.  3351,  F.  2142. 


18 


No.  9a-i-o. 

Date:  October  i,  1918. 

Locality:  Awoingt. 


Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Time:  5:40  P.  M. 
Height:  3000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 


Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8252. 


122 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  J.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2649. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 


19 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
F.  5967,  F.  2141,  F.  6138, 
F.  6249,  C.  8337,  F.  5993, 
H.  7281,  F.  6024,  D.  3396, 
C.  8352,  F.  2142,  F.  621 1, 

c.  3351. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  9:10  A.  M. 
Height:  3500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


No.  ioa-2-o. 

Date:  October  2, 1918, 

Locality:  Awoingt. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 


123 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.  "  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Time:  9:10  a.  m. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2162. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3  3  5 1 .  * 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281.       Several  bursts  observed  in  town. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

124 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

20 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  iia-2-0. 

No.  and  type  of  machines :  Date :  October  2,  191 8. 

Sopwith  Camels,  F.  5993,  Locality:  Awoingt,  Wam- 

H.  7281,  D.  3396,  F.  621 1,  baix,  and  57b. H. 7. 

F.  2142,  C.  3351,  C.  8337, 

H.  828,  F.  5967,  F.  6138, 

F.  6249,  F.  2141. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.         Dropped  on  Awoingt,  at  3 130  p.  m. 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 

Time:  3:30  p.  M. 

Height:  3000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon.  Dropped  one  bomb  on  Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Bombs  dropped :  1-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.J.F.Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

125 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman.      Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281.  Number    of    bursts    observed.      Fire 

started. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142.   Fired  at  3  40  p.  m.  150  rounds  on  several 

lorries   on   Cambrai — Le  Cateau  road 

from  1500  feet. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.     Dropped  two  bombs  on  Wambaix,  and 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1.   two  bombs  on  assembled  transport  on 

road  between  Wambaix  and  Cambrai, 
57b.H.7,  at  3:40  from  2000  feet. 


21 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
F.  2141,  F.  5967,  F.  6163, 
H.  7281,  F.  5993,  F.  621 1, 
C.  3351,  C.  8337,  D.  3396, 
F.  2146,  F.  6194,  C.  8352, 
F.  6249. 


No.  i2a-2-o. 

Date:  October  3,  1918. 

Locality:  Caudry. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  7:35  A.  M. 
Height:  5000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 


Dropped  four  bombs  on  Caudry  and  on 
R.  R.  sidings  to  the  south.  Several 
bursts  observed  in  town  and  near  the 
lines. 


126 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  Caudry  and  on 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967.    R.  R.  sidings  to  the  south.     Several 

bursts  observed  in  town  and  near  the 

lines. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6163. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  H.  G.  Shoemaker. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3852. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers.  "  "  « 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White.  Dropped  three  bombs,  as  above.     Lost 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6429.   formation.      Returned,    October    4th, 

having  landed  at  Borest,  near  Senlis. 
127 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

22 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  133-2-0. 

No.  and  type  of  machines :  Date:  October  3,  1918. 

Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828,  LocaUty:  Caudry. 

F.  5967,  F.  621 1,  F.  5993, 

F.  2146,  F.  2141,  H.  7281, 

F.6i38,F.  6194,  C.  3351, 

0.8352,0.8337,0.3396. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.         Dropped    four    bombs   on    R.    R.    at 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.     Caudry. 

Time:  3:10  p.  M. 

Height:  5000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1.  A.A.  battery  working  at  57b.L29.c.90. 

Another  at  57b.L32.c. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France.  Dropped  four  bombs  at  Caudry.     Sev- 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.   eral  bursts  observed  on  the  R.  R.  track 

just  outside  the  station. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146.    Burst  observed  at  57b.L35.a.37. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick.  Dropped   four  bombs   on    R.    R.    at 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141.    Caudry. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281.     Fire  observed  at  Rumilly. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

128 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  H.  G.  Shoemaker.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  R.  R.  at 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194.     Caudry. 

Fire  observed  at  Rumilly. 
Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.      Two  motor  transports  at  57b.0.9. 

23 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  143-4-0. 

No.  and  type  of  machines:  Date:  October  4,  1918. 

Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828,  Locality:  Caudry. 

F.  6194,  F.  5967,  F.  6138, 

C.  8352,  C.  8337,  C.  3351, 

F.  5993>  F-  621 1,  H.  751, 

F.  2146,  H.7281. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  station  and 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.  train  pulling  out  going  east.  Heavy 
Time :  11:30  a.  m.  A.A.  and  machine  gun  fire  from  ground. 

Height:  4000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

129 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers.  Dropped  four  bombs  on  station  and 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.    train  pulling  out  going  east.     Heavy 

A.A.  and  machine  gun  fire  from  ground. 
Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho.  Forced  landing  at  Villeret. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
F.  2164,  F.  2141,  F.  6194, 
F.  6138,  C.  8352,  F.  2142, 
F.  621 1,  C.  8337,  H.  751. 


24 


No.  143-2-0. 

Date:  October  4, 1918. 

Locality :  Awoingt. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  5:30?.  M. 
Height:  5cxx>  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Dropped    four    bombs    on    Awoingt. 
Saw  several  burst  in  the  town. 


130 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks.  Dropped    four    bombs    on    Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164.    Saw  several  burst  in  the  town. 


Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2 141. 

Lieut.  H.  G.  Shoemaker. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352, 
F.  6211,  F.  6024,  H.  828, 
C.  8337,  F.  2142,  H.  751, 
F.  2146,  H.  7281,  D.  3396, 
F.  6194,  F.  5967,  F.  2141, 
F.  6249,  F.  5993. 


25 


No.  i5a-2--o. 

Date:  October  5, 1918. 

Locality:  Awoingt. 


131 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.     Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Time:  9:00  a.  m. 

Height:  500x3  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.     One  direct  hit  on  railway  station  lines. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 

Lieut.  H.  G.  Shoemaker. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2 141. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 


132 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman.      Dropped  four  bombs  on  Awoingt. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.   Three  hits  in  village,  one  on  the  largest 

Time:  9:00  A.  M.  building  of  town,   and  one  on  what 

Height:  1000  feet.  seemed  sheds  near  railway  station. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bonxbs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

26 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A.  No.  i6a-2-o. 

No.  and  type  of  machines :  Date :  October  6,  191 8. 

Sopwith  Camels,  F.  2146,  Locality:  Wambaix  and 

F.  6024,  H.  7281,  D.  3396,  Esnes. 

F.  5993,  H.  828,  F.  6249 

(F.  6194  and  F.  5967  missing). 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.        Dropped  four  bombs  on  Wambaix. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Time:  4:35  p.  M. 

Height:  5000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  339S. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.    Saw  at  least  six  direct  hits  on  east  side 

of  Wambaix. 

133 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.  Four  bombs  on  Esnes.     Direct  hit  seen 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828.  on  a  dump,  just  west  of  town  (57b.- 

Time:  4:35  p.  M.  E.33.d.),    which    exploded    and    was 

Height:  4000  feet.  seen  to  burn  until  patrol  left,  at  about 

Rounds  fired :  nil.  5:10  P.M.   Two  other  fires  started.   New 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb.  fires  burning  in  Cambrai. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249.  One  shell  seen  to  burst  on  R.R.,  at 

57.C.25,  at  4:50  p.  M. 


Lieut.  H.  G.  Shoemaker. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6194. 

Lieut.  G.  D.  Wicks. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5967. 


Missing.     Collision  in  air. 


27 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
F.  2141,  F.  6138,  F.  6249, 
C.8337,  C.  8352,  F.  2142, 
F.  621 1,  F.  751,  F.  2146, 
F.  5993*  H.  7281,  D.  3396, 
F.  6024. 


No.  i7a-7-o. 

Date:  October  7, 1918. 

Locality:  Awoingt  and 

Cauroir. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  10:45  A.M. 
Height:  5000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  nil. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Dropped    four    bombs 
Numerous  hits  in  town. 


on    Awoingt. 


134 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick.  Dropped    four    bombs    on    Awoingt. 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 

Lieut.  E.  D.  White. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  H.  C  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 

Lieut  H.  P.  Alderman. 

Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281.  Fire  started   by  direct  hit  on  large 

building. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke.       Dropped  four  bombs  as  above. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke.  Dropped  three  bombs  on  Cauroir  at 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.   10:45  a.  m.,  from  5000  feet.    Dropped 

one  bomb  on  Awoingt  at  10:55  a.  m., 

from  5000  feet. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2142. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 

13s 


I7th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machir 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 
28 


No.  18-8-0. 

Date:  October  8,  1918. 

Locality:  East  of  Cambrai. 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman, 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281, 
Time:  12:15  p-  m. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  550. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  transport  going  into 
Villers-en-Cauchies  also  on  town.  Fired 
250  rounds  on  road,  between  Cam- 
brai and  Iwuy,  at  12:30-12:45  P.  M., 
from  150  feet.  Fired  300  rounds,  from 
1000  feet,  on  transport  going  into  town 
from  Cambrai. 


Lieut  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  12:15  P-  m. 
Height:  900-1000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  on  four  lorries  on  road  be- 
tween Cagnoncles  and  Naves.  Three 
lorries  disappeared.  Fired  on  two 
transports,  or  guns  with  canvas  covers, 
on  road  between  Cambrai  and  Naves. 
One  horse  was  seen  to  fall  in  road.  In- 
fantry, nationality  unknown  (observed 
from  1000  feet)  in  sunken  road  running 
E.  and  W.,  at  57b.B.i7,  at  which  I 
did  not  shoot,  because  they  did  not  fire. 


Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2141. 
Time:  12:15  p.  m. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  700. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 


136 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 
Time:  12:15  p.  m. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  200. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Bombs  dropped  on  same  target  as 
Lieut.  Vaughn.  Fired  on  scattered  lor- 
ries and  infantry  marching  south  be- 
tween Estourmel  and  Cattenieres.  One 
horse  transport  seen  running  away. 
Fired  200  rounds  from  locx)  feet  on 
sunken  road,  at  57b.H.ii.a.22. 


Lieut.  E.  D.  White.  Four  bombs  dropped  and  300  rounds 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249.   fired  on  same  target  as  Lieut.  Vaughn. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  Awoingt.  150 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164.  rounds  fired  at  factory,  57b.C.25.c 
Time:  12:30  p.  m.  fired  from  1000  feet. 

Height:  1500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  150. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3328. 
Time:  12:00-12:40  p.  M. 
Height:  2000-200  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  600. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


At  57b.B.i9.b.55,  direct  hit  with  two 
bombs  on  R.R.,  from  2000  feet.  Small 
motor-driven  car  on  R.R.  ran  into 
break  and  turned  on  its  side,  it 
was  full  of  men  who  scattered  when  I 
fired  100  rounds  from  1000  feet.  Two 
bombs  dropped  on  Awoingt  at  12:40 
p.  M.,  from  1500  feet.  One  hit  started 
fire.  200  rounds  fired  at  a  gun  being 
pulled  by  four  horses.  Ammunition 
ran  out. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  two  lorries 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.  on  road,  at  5ia.T.i5,  at  12:40  p.  m. 
Time:  12:15-12:40  p.  M.  300  rounds  fired  on  them  before  drop- 
Height:  2000  feet.  ping  bombs.  200  rounds  fired  at  lorry 
Rounds  fired:  500.  at  5ia.T.io. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

137 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Lieut  J.  F.  Donoho.  Four    bombs    dropped    on    R.R.,    at 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351.  51b. B. 2,    at    12:00,    from    2000    feet. 

Time:  12:00-12:30  p.  M.  200   rounds   fired   on   two  lorries,   at 

Height:  1000  feet.  57b.C.ii.     Lorries   disappeared  when 

Rounds  fired :  400.  I    zoomed    and    turned    back.     Fired 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb.  200  into  trenches,  at  57b.B.i i. 


No.  19-8-0. 

Date:  October  8, 1918. 


29 

17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  C.  8352, 

C.  3351,  F.  6211,  F.  2007, 
F.  2146,  F.  7281,  F.  5993, 

D.  3396,  F.  6024,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  town,  from 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1.  1500  feet.  Fired  700  rounds  on  trans- 
Time:  4:45  P.  M.  port  and  troops,  at  57b. B.  17,  in 
Height:  1 500-1000  feet,  sunken  road,  at  5:00  p.  m.,  from  1000 
Rounds  fired :  700.  feet.  Other  roads  full  of  transport. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 
Time:  4:40  p.  M. 
Height  3000-2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  350. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time:  4:30-4:35  p.  M. 
Height :  900  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  dropped  on  transport  be- 
tween Cambrai  and  Beauvois.  Fired 
350  rounds  at  same  time  from  2000  feet. 
Explosion  seen  at  Sucrerie,  just  south 
of  Cattenieres,  at  4:50  p.  M. 

One  bomb  dropped  on  troops  along 
side  R.R.,  at  57b. B. 20.  One  bomb  on 
Cambrai-Saulzoir  road,  on  troops,  from 
900  feet,  at  4:35  p.  m.  Two  bombs  on 
Cambrai — St.  Vaast  road  at  57b. B. 6,  on 
troops.  Fired  200  rounds  at  horse 
transport  going  from  Cambrai  to 
Naves,  from  500  feet.  300  more  rounds 
on  group  of  troops,  at  57b. B.  18,  from 
400  feet  at  4:50  P.M. 
138 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.       No  bombs  dropped. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146.  with  engine  trouble. 


Returned  early 


Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2007. 
Time:  4:30-5:00  p.  M. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  200. 
Bombs  dropped :  nil. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 
Time:  4:35-5:05  P.  M. 
Height:  1500-900  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  350. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  4:40-5:00  P.  M. 
Height :  1 50  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  700. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts, 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Time:  4:30  p.  m. 
Height:  2000-50  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 
Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 


Fired  200  rounds,  from  2000  feet,  at 
various  fleeting  targets — transport  on 
Cambrai — Naves  road,  troops  on  rail- 
way between  Cambrai  and  Caudry. 


Two  bombs  dropped  on  sunken  road 
(57b. B. 17-18),  from  1500  feet  at 
4:35  p.  M.  Fired  100  rounds  on  same 
target.  Fired  150  rounds  at  transport 
going  east  on  Cambrai — Naves  road, 
from  900  feet,  at  5  :oo  p.  M.  Fired  100 
rounds  at  troops  on  crossroads  of 
Cambrai — ^Valenciennes  and  Cambrai — 
Le  Cateau  roads.  Two  bombs  on  trans- 
port on  Cambrai — ^Naves  road. 

Four  bombs  dropped  on  57b.B.i5a.  22. 
Fired  700  rounds  on  transport  moving 
east  of  Cambrai — Saulzoir  road,  also  on 
road  from  Villers-en-Cauchies  to  St. 
Aubert.  Observed  much  confusion  in 
these  small  detachments  when  they 
were  fired  upon. 

Four  bombs  dropped  from  2000  feet 
on  troops;  followed  them  down  firing 
100  rounds;  saw  many  fall;  went  down 
to  fifty  feet.  Fired  100  rounds  on  bat- 
tery and  lorry  with  eight  men,  from  50 
feet,  at  5ia.U.i3.c.55.  Results  not 
observed.  300  rounds  fired  on  two 
vehicles,  at  5ia.T.22.c.  05;  driver  ran 
ahead  and  fell  at  5ia.T.i8.d;  horses 
seen  to  fall  also.  Severe  machine  gun 
fire  from  5ia.U.i3.d.o8. 

139 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


I 


Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Time:  4:35  P.  m. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  150. 
Bombs  dropped,  4-20  lb. 


Four  bombs  dropped  on  troops  at 
57b. B. 27.  Saw  one  burst  among 
troops.  Fired  150  rounds  at  horse 
transport  on  main  road,  at  57b. B. 27. 
Saw  horses  fall. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho.  Four    bombs    dropped    at    5ia.T.20, 


Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 
Time:  4:35  p.  m. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


from  2000  feet,  at  4:35  P.  M.,  on  trans- 
port. Fired  400  rounds  from  1000 
feet  at  transport  along  road,  same 
place.  Much  confusion  caused. 


30 


No.  2-09-0. 

Date:  October  9, 1918. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels:  F.  2146, 
H.  7281,  D.  3328,  D.  3396, 
F.  6024,  C.  8352,  C.  3351, 
F.  621 1,  F.  2007,  F.  6249, 
F.  2164,  H.  751,  F.  6138. 


Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  R.R.,  north 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1,  of  Awoingt,  from  2000  feet,  at  6:40 
Time :  6 :40  a.  m.  a.  m.     Bursts  seen  at  edge  of  railroad. 

Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351, 
Time:  6:40  A.M. 
Height:  2000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Four    bombs    dropped 
No  movement  on  roads. 


on    5ia.U.i9, 


140 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.        Four    bombs    dropped   on    5ia.U.i9. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146.   No  movement  on  roads. 

Lieut.  Hu  C.  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3328. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  Cauroir,  from 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024.   5000  feet,  at  6:40  a.  m. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow.     Four  bombs  dropped  on  Awoingt,  from 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352.   5CXX)  feet,  at  6:30  a.  m. 

Time:  6:30  a.  m. 

Height:  5000  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2007. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke.       Two  bombs  dropped  on  Awoingt,  from 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396.  5000  feet,  at  6:30  a.  m.  two  bombs  on 

Cauroir,  from  3000,  at  6:35  a.  m. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  Rieux,  from 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138.    5000  feet,  at  6:30  a.  m. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2164, 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn.         Four  bombs  dropped   on  Cauroir,  at 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249.   6:30  A.  M. 

141 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

31 

No.  21-9-0. 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  D.  9423, 
F.  2146,  H.  7281,0.3351, 
D.  3396. 


Date:  October  9, 1918. 


Major  H.  L.  Fowler.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  Rieux  R.R. 

Sopwith  Camel,  D.  9423.  sidings,  at  5ia.0.i9,  at  1:20  p.  m.,  from 


Time:  1:20  p.  m. 
Height:  5000  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 


5000  feet. 


One  bomb  dropped  on  same  target. 


Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke.       One   bomb    dropped    on    St.    Hilaire. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396.  Explosion   seen   at    1:35   P.   M.,   near 

Avesnes-lez-Aubert. 

Total:  19-20  lb.  bombs  dropped. 


32 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  H.  828, 
H.  830,  H.  757,  F.  6138, 
F.  6249,  C.  8352,  C.  8337, 
C.  3351,  F.  2006,  F.  2007, 
F.  621 1,  F.  2146,  D.  3328, 
H.  7281,  D.  3396. 


No  22-14-0. 

Date:  October  14,  1918. 

Locality:  Bazuel. 


142 


BOMBING  REPORTS 


Dropped  four  bombs  at  7:10  a.  m.,  on 
Bazuel,  from  3000  feet.  Bursts  seen 
along  the  road.  Very  heavy  machine 
gun  fire  and  anti-aircraft  fire  from 
ground.  Large  machine  gun  nest  in 
Bazuel.  Visibility  bad.  Balloons 
seen  at  51.S. 19-25. 


Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  7:10  A.  M. 
Height:  3CXX)  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  830. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 

Lieut.  W.  R.  House. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke.  "    .  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337. 

Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  3351. 

Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3328. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter.  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  621 1. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke.       Three  bombs  dropped  on  same  target. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 

Total:  51-20  lb.  bombs  dropped. 
143 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines : 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  2146, 
D.  3328,  H.  7281,  D.  3396, 
F.  5993,  C.  8352,  C.  8337, 
C.  3351,  F.  2007,  F.  6211, 
H.  828,  H.  830,  H.  751, 
F.  6138,  F.  6249. 


33 


No.  23-14,-0. 

Date:  October  14, 1918. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Campbell.  Shot  up  transport  on  Verchain  road,  at 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2146.  5ia.Q.2.o.  200  rounds  fired  into  the 
Time :  1 40  p.  m.  villages  of  Monchaux  and  Querenaing. 

Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  500. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 


Lieut.  H.  C.  Knotts. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3328. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Rounds  fired:  150. 

Lieut.  M.  C.  Giesecke. 
Sopwith  Camel,  D.  3396. 
Time :  i  :40  p.  m. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 

Lieut.  C.  W.  France. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993. 
Rounds  fired:  350. 

Lieut.  W.  W.  Goodnow. 
Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8352. 
Time:  1:30  p.  m. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  400. 


Not  returned;  was  seen  to  land  and 
get  out  of  his  machine,  at  51a.  P.  28. 

Fired  150  rounds  at  transport  near 
Vendegies. 

Four  bombs  dropped  on  troops  in 
sunken  road  at  51a. P. 29.  Fired  100 
rounds  at  transport  at  51a. P. 24.  Big 
fire  in  Solesmes. 

Four  bombs  dropped  on  transport,  at 
5 1  a.  Q.  19.  200  rounds  fired  at  same 
transport.  1 50  rounds  at  another  target 
nearby. 

Four  bombs  dropped  on  transport  just 
south  of  Vendegies.  200  rounds  fired 
at  same  transport.  Fired  200  rounds 
at  pom-pom  battery  at  Vendegies. 


144 


BOMBING  REPORTS 

Lieut.  J.  A.  Myers.  loo  rounds  fired  at  transport,  south  of 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  2007.  Vendegies. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 

Lieut.  R.  W.  Snoke.  Four  bombs  dropped  and  100  rounds 

Sopwith  Camel,  C.  8337.  fired  on  transport,  at  51a. Q.  19. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 


Lieut.  J.  F.  Donoho. 
Sopwith  Camel,  G.  3351. 

Lieut.  F.  M.  Showalter. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6211. 
Rounds  fired:  500. 

Lieut.  G.  A.  Vaughn. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  828. 
Time:  2:10  p.  m. 
Rounds  fired:  300. 

Lieut.  W.  R.  House. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6249. 
Rounds  fired:  150. 

Lieut.  L.  J.  Desson. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  751. 
Time:  2:10  p.  M. 
Height:  2500  feet. 
Rounds  fired:  100. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  F.  A.  Dixon. 
Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6138. 
Rounds  fired :  750. 

Lieut.  H.  Burdick. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  830. 
Time:  1:40  P.M. 
Height:  1500  feet. 
'  Rounds  fired :  750. 
Bombs  dropped :  3-20  lb. 
Total:  55~20  lb, 


Four  bombs  dropped  on  transport,  at 
51a. Q. 20. 

Four  bombs  dropped  and  500  rounds 
fired  on  transport  on  road  leading 
through  Villers-Pol. 

Four  bombs  dropped  and  3CX)  rounds 
fired  on  transport  along  road,  just  east 
of  Verchain. 


Four  bombs  dropped  and  100  rounds 
fired  on  transport  along  road  near  Ver- 
chain. 


Four  bombs  dropped  and  750  rounds 
fired  on  transport,  at  51a. Q.  19. 

Three  bombs  dropped  and  150  rounds 
fired  on  transport  just  east  of  Verchain. 
Used  remaining  ammunition  shooting 
down  and  firing  at  Fokker  on  ground, 
killing  pilot. 

bombs  dropped;  4300  rounds  fired. 
14s 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 


34 


17th  Squadron,  U.S.A. 
No.  and  type  of  machines: 
Sopwith  Camels,  F.  5993, 
F.  6024,  H.  7281. 


No.  24-24-0. 

Date:  October  24, 19 18. 


Lieut.  W.  T.  Clements.  Four  bombs  dropped  on  Landrecies- 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  5993.  Maroilles  road,  at  51.H.20.    Visibility 

Time:  2:05  p.  m.  poor.     Heavy  clouds.     No  movements 

Height:  300  feet.  on  roads  through  Mormal  Forest. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Schneider.  " 

Sopwith  Camel,  F.  6024. 

Time:  2:05  p.  M. 

Height:  300  feet. 

Rounds  fired :  nil. 

Bombs  dropped:  4-20  lb. 

Lieut.  H.  P.  Alderman. 
Sopwith  Camel,  H.  7281. 
Time:  2:05  P.  M. 
Height:  303  feet. 
Rounds  fired :  nil. 
Bombs  dropped :  4-20  lb. 

Total:  12-20  lb.  bombs  dropped. 


146 


CHAPTER  VII 

STATISTICS 

Part  I 

RECORD   OF  THE    I7TH   SQUADRON  DURING  ACTIVE   OPERATIONS 
FOR  THE   PERIOD  JULY   15 — OCTOBER   28,    I918 

1.  Number  of  enemy   aircraft  destroyed   and   con- 

firmed                  53 

2.  Number  of  enemy  aircraft  driven  down  out  of 

control II 

3.  Total  number  of  enemy  aircraft  destroyed  and 

driven  down 64 

4.  Number  of  days, on  which  offensive  patrols  were 

sent  over  the  lines 5^ 

5.  Number  of  machines  sent  on  offensive  patrol     .       936 

6.  Number  of  hours  flown  on  offensive  patrol    .      .      1893 

7.  Number  of  enemy  aircraft  destroyed  or  driven 

down  out  of  control  for  each  flying  day  .      .      .  i  •  25  J 

8.  Number  of  days  of  low  bombing  raids  and  ma- 

chine gun  attacks  on  enemy  transport  and  in- 
fantry           16 

9.  Number  of  low  bombing  raids  and  machine  gun 

attacks  sent  out 36 

10.  Number  of  hours  flown  on  low  bombing  raids  and 

attacks  on  enemy  transport  and  infantry    .      .       462 

11.  Number  of  bombs  dropped 1 164 

12.  Total  weight  of  bombs  dropped  (in  pounds) .         23780 

1 3 .  Number  of  machines  sent  over  lines  on  low  bomb- 

ing raids  and  attacks  on  enemy  transport  and 
infantry 314 

14.  Number  of  rounds  fired  on  enemy  transport  and 

infantry 31806 

147 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

15.  Number  of  line  patrols  carried  out      ....  15 

16.  Number  of  days  on  which  line  patrols  were  car- 

ried out 8 

17.  Number  of  hours  of  line  patrol 248 

18.  Number  of  machines  sent  out  on  line  patrol  183 

19.  Number  of  decorations  (D.F.C.)  awarded  pilots 

by  British 5 

20.  Number  of  American  decorations  (D.S.C.)   .      .  i 

21.  Number  of  mentions  in  R.A.F.  Communiques      .  35 

22.  Number  of  days  of  active  service 105 

23.  Number  of  days  of  bad  weather  during  active 

service 20 

24.  Numberof  days  of  moving  or  refitting.      ...  10 

25.  Average  number  of  machines  serviceable  ...  16 


148 


Part  II 

VICTORIES   AND   LOSSES   TABULATED 

July,  igiS 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  destroyed : 
July  20 I 

Total I 

Losses : 

July  20  (Missing  from  offensive  patrol)  1st  Lieut.     ...        i 

Total I 

August,  IQ18 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  destroyed : 

August    I I 

August    3 2 

August    7 3 

August  13 14* 

August  14 2 

August  21 I 

August  22 I 

August  25 I 

August  26  .      . 5 

Total 30 

Enemy  Balloons  destroyed : 

August  21 I 

August  22 I 

August  24 I 

Total 3 

•Eight  confirmed  by  R.A.F.  Communique  No.  20,  dated  August  13.    Fourteen  con- 
firmed by  prisoner  of  war,  as  stated  in  R.A.F.  Summary  of  Intelligence,  dated  October  20. 

149 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  driven  down  out  of  control: 

August    I 

August    8 

August    9 

August  12 .      . 

August  21 

August  22 

August  26 


Total 


Losses: 
August    4 
August  12 
August  14 

August  23 

August  24 

August  26 


Total 


(Missing  from  offensive  patrol) 
(Missing  from  oflFensive  patrol) 
(Missing  from  offensive  patrol) 
(Missing  from  offensive  patrol) 
(Wounded  on  low  bombing  patrol) 
(Killed  on  low  bombing  patrol) 

(Prisoner  of  war) 

(Killed  on  low  bombing  patrol) 
(Prisoners  of  war)       .... 

(Prisoner  of  war) 

(Missing  from  offensive  patrol) 
(Missing    from   offensive  patrol) 


1st  Lieut.       I 

1st  Lieut.       I 

1st  Lieut.       I 

2nd  Lieut.       i 

1st  Lieut.       I 

1st  Lieut.       I 

2nd  Lieut.       i 

1st  Lieut.       I 

1st  Lieuts.       2 

2nd  Lieut.       i 

1st  Lieut.       I 

2nd  Lieuts.       2 

September^  igi8. 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  destroyed : 

September  13 I 

September  17 I 

September  18 I 

September  22 4 

September  24 5 

September  28     ..... 3 

Total 15 

ISO 


STATISTICS 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  driven  down  out  of  control: 

September  i8 I 

September  24 i 

September  27 i 

Total 3 


Enemy  Kite  Balloons  apparently  destroyed  but  not  confirmed: 
September  18 I 

Total I 


Losses: 

September  22     (Prisoner    of  war;    afterwards    escaped) 

1st  Lieut I 

(Missing     from    offensive    patrol)     2nd 
Lieut.     . I 

Total 2 


October,  igi8. 

Enemy  Aeroplanes  destroyed : 

October    2 '   .      .      .      .  I 

October  14 2 

October  25 I 

Total 4 


Losses: 

October    6     (Missing  from  bombing  patrol)  ist  Lieut.  1 

(Killed  while  on  bombing  patrol)  ist  Lieut.  i 

October  14     (Prisoner  of  war)        ....  2nd  Lieut.  i 


Total. 


151 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17th  SQUADRON 

Total  aeroplanes  destroyed  and  confirmed 50 

Total  balloons  destroyed  and  confirmed 3 

Total  enemy  aircraft  destroyed  and  confirmed       •      •      •      •  53 

Total  aeroplanes  driven  down  out  of  control 10 

Total  balloons  apparently  destroyed i 

Total  enemy  aircraft  destroyed  and  out  of  control     .      .      .  64 

Total  losses: 

Wounded i 

Prisoners  of  war 6 

Missing 10 

Killed 3 

Total 20 


152 


Part  III 

RECORD  OF  THE  17TH  SQUADRON,  IN  THE  TECHNICAL  UPKEEP 
AND  REPAIR  OF  SOPWITH  CAMEL  AEROPLANES  AND  LE  RHONE  EN- 
GINES, DURING  ACTIVE  OPERATIONS 

Number  of  machines  drawn  from  British      .  66 

EstabHshment 19 

Consumption 47 

Average  consumption  per  month        .      .      .  loiJ 

Lost  over  lines  (40!%) 19 

Returned  as  time  expired  (6|%)  ....  3 

Crashed  or  shot  beyond  repair  (53i%)    .      .  25 

Spare  engines  received 28 

EstabHshment 9 

Consumption 19 

Average  running  time  of  engines  overhauled 

in  Squadron 34  hrs.  57J  min. 

Longest  run  in  Squadron  before  overhaul     .  86  hrs.  15  min. 
Average  number  of  spare  engines  kept  ser- 
viceable       5.3 

Record  for  Timing  and  Maintenance  of  C. 

C.  Gears: 
Average   number   of  rounds   fired   without 

shooting  propeller 27500 

Record  of  R.A.F.  Brigades  for  September, 

1918 22800 


153 


APPENDIX 
Part  I 

CASUALTIES     AND     CHANGES     IN     OFFICERS     OF     I7TH     SQUADRON 
DURING   OVERSEAS   SERVICE 


October  ii,  1917 

January  8,  191 8 
June  4 

June  20 

June  21 


June  23 


OVERSEAS  TRAINING 

1st  Lieut.  David  T.  Wells  attached  to  Squad- 
ron as  Supply  Officer  (Assigned,  December  31, 
1917.) 

1st  Lieut.  James  G.  Bennett  assigned  as  pilot. 
I  St  Lieut.  Lorenz  K.  Ayers  assigned  as  Arma- 
ment Officer. 

1st  Lieut.  Samuel  B.  Eckert  assigned  as 
Commanding  Officer. 

Assigned:  ist  Lieut.  Frederick  M.  Clapp  as 
Adjutant. 

1st  Lieut.  Morton  L.  Newhall  as  Flight  Com- 
mander. 

1st  Lieut.  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton  as  Flight  Com- 
mander. 

1st  Lieut.  Weston  W.  Goodnow  as  Flight 
Commander. 

1st  Lieuts.  Rodney  D.  Williams,  Merton  L. 
Campbell,  Henry  B.  Frost,  and  William  D. 
Tipton  as  pilots. 

1st  Lieut.  Henry  McC.  Bangs  relieved  from 
duty  as  Adjutant. 

1st  Lieuts.  Murray  K.  Spidle,  Laurence  Rob- 
erts, Floyd  M.  Showalter,  George  P.  Glenn, 
Harriss  P.  Alderman,  Lyman  E.  Case,  and 
2nd  Lieut.  Robert  M.  Todd  assigned  as  pilots. 

155 


APPENDIX 

June  26  1st  Lieuts.  Ralph  D.  Gracie,  Bradley  C.  Law- 

ton,  Ralph  W.  Snoke,  Frank  A.  Dixon,  Wil- 
liam J.  Armstrong,  and  Leonard  J.  Desson 
assigned  as  pilots. 

July  I  1st  Lieut.  Theose  E.  Tillinghast  and  2nd  Lieut. 

William  H.  Shearman  assigned  as  pilots. 
1st  Lieut.  Morton  L.  Newhall  relieved  from 
duty  and   assigned   as  Commanding  Officer 
to  148th  Aero  Squadron. 

July  6  1st  Lieut.  Jacob  J.  Ross  attached  as  Medical 

Officer. 

ACTIVE    OPERATIONS 

July  20  1st  Lieut.  George  P.  Glenn  "missing"  from 

patrol  escorting  211  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  over 
lines.     Dropped  from  rolls,  July  28. 

July  21  1st  Lieut.  Albert  J.  Schneider  and  2nd  Lieut. 

George  T.  Wise  assigned  as  pilots. 

July  26  1st  Lieut.  Bradley  C.  Lawton  to  No.  13  Gen- 

eral Hospital,  as  result  of  fall  in  machine  at 
Adinkerque  on  July  11.  Dropped  from  rolls 
July  28. 

July  27  1st  Lieut.   Laurence   Roberts  admitted  sick 

to  No.  40  General  Hospital,  B.E.F.,  Calais. 
Dropped  from  rolls,  July  29. 

July  30  1st  Lieut.  Leonard  J.  Desson  admitted  sick  to 

Queen  Alexandra  Hospital. 

August  I  *  1st  Lieuts.   Glenn   D.   Wicks   and  Jesse   F. 

Campbell  assigned  as  pilots. 

August  4  1st  Lieut.  Murray  K.  Spidle  "missing"  from 

O.P.  Dropped  from  rolls,  August  5. 
1st  Lieut.   Leonard  J.   Desson  returned  to 
squadron  from  hospital. 

August  12  1st  Lieut.  WiUiam  J.  Armstrong  admitted  to 

Queen  Alexandra  Hospital,  wounded  in  com- 
bat.    Dropped  from  rolls,  August  14. 

156 


APPENDIX 


August  12 


August  13 
August  14 


August  14 
August  15 
August  16 

August  17 
August  23 


August  24 


2nd  Lieut.  Harry  H.  Jackson  assigned  as  pilot. 
1st  Lieut.  Ralph  D.  Grade  "missing"  from 
O.P.    Dropped  from  rolls,  August  13. 
1st  Lieut.  Ralph  W.  Snoke  admitted  to  Queen 
Alexandra  Hospital  as  result  of  injuries  re- 
ceived in  landing  on  aerodrome. 
1st  Lieut.  Harriss  P.  Alderman  admitted  to 
Queen  Alexandra  Hospital,  wounded  in  combat. 
1st  Lieut.  Lyman  E.  Case  "missing";  last 
seen  falling  from   14000  feet  after  collision 
with   Fokker   shot   down   by   Lieut.   Wicks. 
Dropped  from  rolls,  August  16. 
2nd  Lieut.  WilHam  H.  Shearman  "missing" 
from  O.P.     Dropped  from  rolls,  August  16. 
1st  Lieut.  Harriss  P.  Alderman  to  duty  from 
hospital. 

1st  Lieut.  Albert  F.  Everett  assigned  as  pilot. 
2nd  Lieut.  John  F.  Donoho  assigned  as  pilot. 
2nd  Lieuts.  Howard  P.  Bittinger,  Howard 
Burdick,  and  Howard  C.  Knotts  assigned  as 
pilots. 

1st  Lieut.  Ralph  W.  Snoke  to  duty  from  hospi- 
tal. 

1st  Lieut.  Merton  L.  Campbell  "missing" 
from  low  bombing  show.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  August  29. 

1st  Lieut.  Laurence  Roberts  reassigned  as  pilot. 
1st  Lieut.  Rodney  D.  WiUiams  wounded  on 
low  bombing  show. 

Landed  at  3  Squadron,  R.A.F.,  and  sent  to 
CCS.  at  Gezaincourt.  Dropped  from  rolls, 
August  27. 

1st  Lieut.  Lloyd  A.  Hamilton  "missing"  from 
low  bombing  show. 

Last  seen  spinning  to  earth  after  shooting 
down  enemy  balloon,  east  of  Bapaume. 
Dropped  from  rolls,  August  27. 

157 


APPENDIX 


August  24 
August  26 


missing 


August  28 
August  29 

August  30 
August  31 

Sept.  2 

Sept.  3 
Sept.  5 

Sept.  II 
Sept.  13 


Sept.  17 


from 
Dropped  from 


2nd  Lieut.  George  T.  Wise 
low  bombing  show  over  lines, 
rolls,  August  27. 

1st  Lieuts.  William  D.  Tipton,  Henry  B. 
Frost,  2nd  Lieuts.  Robert  M.  Todd,  Harry  H. 
Jackson,  Jr.,  Howard  P.  Bittinger,  and  ist 
Lieut.  Laurence  Roberts  ** missing'*  from  O.P. 
Dropped  from  rolls,  Aug.  29. 

1st  Lieut.  James  G.  Bennett  to  detached  ser- 
vice, England,  for  further  training  in  flying. 
1st  Lieuts.  George  A.  Vaughn,  Jr.,  William  T. 
Clements,  Thomas  L.  Moore,  Charles  W. 
France,  and  Harold  G.  Shoemaker  assigned 
as  pilots. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Gerald  P.  Thomas  and  John  A. 
Myers  assigned  as  pilots. 

1st  Lieut.  Harriss  P.  Alderman  admitted  to 
hospital  for  wounds  to  heal  completely. 
2nd  Lieut.  James  A.  Ellison  assigned  as  pilot. 
1st  Lieut.  Albert  F.  Everett  admitted  sick 
to  21  CCS.  Hospital.  Dropped  from  rolls 
Sept.  4. 

1st  Lieut.  Martin  C  Giesecke  assigned  as 
pilot. 

1st  Lieut.  Thomas  L.  Moore  transferred  to 
148th  Aero  Squadron. 

2nd  Lieut.  Irving  P.  Corse  assigned  as  pilot. 
2nd  Lieut.  Irving  P.  Corse  admitted  sick  to 
No.  18  General  Hospital. 
1st  Lieut.  Joseph  L.  Mulcahy  attached  to 
Squadron  for  10  days  duty  as  Dental  Officer. 
1st  Lieut.  Jacob  J.  Ross,  M.C,  to  special  duty 
at  No.  14  General  Hospital. 
1st  Lieut.  William  H.  Spindle  and  2nd  Lieut. 
Edgar  G.  White  assigned  as  pilots. 
158 


APPENDIX 

1st  Lieut.  Jacob  J.  Ross,  M.C.,  to  duty  from 
special  duty. 

1st  Lieut.  Theose  E.  Tillinghast  and  2nd  Lieut. 
Gerald  P.  Thomas  "missing"  from  O.P. 
Dropped  from  rolls  Sept.  24. 
1st  Lieut.  William  H.  Spindle  admitted  sick  to 
No.  14  General  Hospital.  Dropped  from  rolls 
Sept.  26. 

2nd  Lieut.  Howard  C.  Knotts  admitted  sick 
to  18  General  Hospital. 

1st  Lieut.  Harriss  P.  Alderman  to  duty  from 
hospital. 

1st  Lieut.  Joseph  L.  Mulcahy,  dentist,  to  II 
Corps. 

2nd  Lieut.  Howard  C.  Knotts  to  duty  from 
hospital. 

2nd  Lieut.  William  R.  House  assigned  as  pilot. 
1st  Lieuts.  Harold  G.  Shoemaker  and  Glenn 
D.  Wicks  "missing"  from  O.P.  and  bombing 
patrol.  Dropped  from  rolls  Oct.  7. 
2nd  Lieut.  Edgar  G.  White  admitted  to  21 
CCS.  Hospital,  wounded  on  O.P.  Dropped 
from  rolls  Oct.  10. 

1st  Lieut.  Albert  F.  Everett  reassigned  as  pilot. 
2nd  Lieut.  Howard  C  Knotts  "missing"  from 
offensive  and  bombing  patrol.  Dropped  from 
rolls  Oct.  18. 

1st  Lieut.  George  A.  Vaughn,  Jr.,  admitted 
sick  to  hospital. 

2nd  Lieut.  James  A.  Ellison  admitted  sick  to 
hospital.  Dropped  from  rolls  Oct.  23. 
1st  Lieuts.  Cuthbert  Tunstall  and  Ernest  S. 
Mason  and  2nd  Lieuts.  Edward  S.  Lubbers 
and  William  F.  Schadt  assigned  as  pilots. 
1st  Lieut.  George  A.  Vaughn,  Jr.,  from  hospi- 
tal to  duty. 

159 


APPENDIX 

Oct.  26  1st  Lieut.  William  J.  Armstrong  reassigned  as 

pilot. 
Oct.  28  1st  Lieut.  Albert  J.  Schneider  admitted  sick  to 

20  General  Hospital. 
Nov.  I  Squadron  assigned  to  4th  Pursuit  Group,  II 

Army,  American  E.F. 


160 


Part  II 


ROSTER   OF    ENLISTED   MEN   WHO  HAVE    BEEN   MEMBERS    OF    I7TH 
SQUADRON  SINCE   ITS  ARRIVAL  OVERSEAS^ 


Alexander,  198 15,  Jasper 
Allen,  19834,  Roy  J. 
Anthony,  19827,  Earl  H. 
Apel,  19739,  Virden  J. 
Aten,  19790,  Merritt  C. 
Atwood,  19733,  Leon 
Bailey,  19728,  Paul 
Baker,  19827,  Maurice 
Bardot,  19740,  Harry  E. 
Barr,  19773,  Robert  J. 
Bauer,  19683,  Edward  C. 
Beaudet,  19843,  Alfred  L. 
Beebe,  19835,  Albert  J. 
Beebe,  19840,  Claude  R. 
Beers,  19876,  Lloyd  S. 
Berntsen,  19844,  Carl 
Bigelow,  1116855,  Erwin  D. 


Blunt,  19797,  Milton  A. 
Boomer,  19727,  Charles  E. 
Booth,  19701,  Claud  L. 
Booth,  1 9741,  Clifton  W. 
Bower,  19695,  Bishop  F. 
Bowman,   1079338,  Augus- 
tine C. 


1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 


Cpl. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Cpl. 

Pvt. 

Pvt  1st  CI. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Cpl. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 


1st  CI. 


1st  CI. 


Cpl. 
Cpl. 
Pvt. 
Pvt. 
Pvt. 

Pvt. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October  6, 
1918. 


*A11  enlisted  men  came  Overseas  originally  with  the 
designated. 

161 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October  6, 
1918. 

17th  Squadron  unless  otherwise 


APPENDIX 

Brooks,  19827,  Bernard  R. 

Chauf. 

Brown,  19836,  Benjamin  A. 

Cpl. 

Brown,  19686,  Ned  C. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Brown,  19742,  Ney  S. 

Chauf. 

Buchanan,  19690,  Robert  B. 

Cpl. 

Buck,  19845,  Selby  H. 

Pvt. 

Bunyan,  19737,  John  A. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Burns,  19691,  Forrest  L. 

Chauf. 

Cale,  37474,  Jesse  C. 

Pvt. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October  6, 
1918. 

Casement,  37325,  Will  B. 

Pvt. 

Transferred  to 

squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October  6, 
1918. 

Chapman,  19743,  Garrett  B. 

Pvt. 

Cobb,  19744,  John  L. 

Pvt. 

Conklin,  19745,  Orrin 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Cooper,  19746,  Loran  J. 

Pvt. 

Cotner,  19750,  Earl  R. 

Pvt. 

Transferred 
from  squadron  to 
Reclassification  Bar- 
racks, October  24, 
1918. 

Covan,  19702,  James  H. 

Pvt. 

Cox,  1058760,  Daniel  J. 

Pvt. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6, 1918. 

162 


APPENDIX 
Cox,  19698,  Reginald  N.         Pvt.  ist  CI. 


Cox,  19846,  Tom  W. 


Pvt. 


Curtiss,  19735,  Herbert  F,      Sgt. 


Davis,  19847,  Sherman  D.      Pvt. 

Day,  19848,  Harry  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

De  Angelis,  388791,  Andrew  Pvt. 


Decker,  19747,  George  Pvt. 

Derrevere,      402473,       Ed- 
ward A.  Pvt. 


Devol,  19740,  Lloyd  E. 
Digman,  19729,  Jesse  A. 
D'Olic,  19749,  Edward 


Pvt. 
Cpl. 
Pvt. 


Admitted  to  No.  45 
Base  Hospital,  Toul, 
November  14,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  23,  1918. 

Admitted  to  No.  21 
CCS.  Hospital,  B. 
E.F.,  October  11, 
19 1 8.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  November  8, 
1918. 

On  detached  service 
at  3rd  Instruction 
Center  for  training 
as  pilot. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


Admitted  to  No.  9 
General  Hospital, 
B.E.F.,  May  1,1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
Sept.  24,  1918. 


163 


APPENDIX 
DolofF,  1158058,  Rudie  D.       Pvt. 


Doty,  19849,  Donald  F. 
Douglass,  19775,  Cecil  N. 
Douglass,  19773,  Jbhn  B. 
Ellerkamp,  19798,  Harry  M. 
Ellis,  19703,  William  A. 
Erdman,  19828,  George  B.  E. 
Falkenstein,  19825,  Howard 

W. 
Feigh,  19787,  Glenn  H 
Fellay,  19687,  Dean  R. 
Fellay,  19689,  George  R. 
Ferris,  19850,  Huber  C. 
Fisher,  19800,  Ben  E. 
Fleahman,  19778,  William  R. 
Floisrtad,  19751,  Charles 


Foster,  19821,  Roy  B. 


Frater,  19801,  John  K. 
Gable,  19752,  William  J, 


Pvt. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

M.S.E. 

Cpl. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Sgt. 

Sgt. 

Sgt. 

Sgt. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

Cook 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Cpl. 

Pvt. 


Sgt.  1st  a. 


Cook 
Chauf. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


Admitted  to  No.  55 
C.C.S.,  B.E.F.,  May 
25,  1918.  Dropped 
frohi  rolls,  Sept.  23, 
1918. 

Admitted  to  No.  55 
U.S.  General  Hos- 
pital, November  21, 
191 8.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  November  23, 
1918. 

Admitted  to  No.  87 
General  Hospital, 
November  18,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  23,  1918. 


164 


APPENDIX 


Galloway,  1973 1,  Edward  E. 
Gardner,  19693,  Earl  W. 
Garrett,  19779,  Robert  H. 
Gillman,  1985 1,  Elmer  H. 
Gipner,  19725,  Lomas 
Gnagy,  19852,  John  G. 
Gosney,  19799,  Howard  M. 
Green,  881054,  Dallas  W. 


Sgt. 
Cpl. 
Chauf. 
Pvt. 

Sgt.  1st  a. 

Chauf.  1st  CI. 
Pvt.  1st  CI. 
Private 


Guhm,  19780,  Louis  R. 


Cpl. 


Haley,  19853,  Ralph  E.  Pvt. 

Hardin,    2693209,    Clarence 
W.  Pvt. 


Hathaway,  19594,  Glenn  S.    Sgt. 


Heim,  19803,   Anthony  J.       Pvt.  ist.  CL. 
Herbsleb,  19753,  George  R.     Cpl. 
Hill,  19704,  Reginald  E.  Pvt. 

Hively,  19736,  Eldon  E.  Sgt.  ist  CI. 

Hively,  19730,  Roy  H.  Sgt.  ist  CI. 

Hollinger,  1052146,  Harry  E.  Pvt. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Admitted  to  No.  6 
Field  Ambulance, 
St.  Jean  Hospital, 
October  29,  19 18. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  8,  191 8. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

On  detached  service 
to  3rd  Instruction 
Center  training  as 
pilot. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


165 


APPENDIX 
Hollis,  19795,  Everett  R.        Pvt.  ist  CI. 


Holmes,  19822,  Walter  W.      Sgt.  ist  CI. 
Holton,  19803,  Judson  N.        Pvt. 


Horst,  19754,  Frank  H.  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Huntington,  19781,  Lester  H.  Cpl. 


Irwin,  19854,  Max  A. 
Jensen,  19837,  Edwin  R. 
Johns,  19726,  Leland  H. 
Johnson,  19685,  Alvin  M. 
Johnson,  19755,  Archie 


Johnson,  19760,  Edwin  L. 
Johnston,  19804,  Adam  B. 
Johnston,  19782,  Logan  T. 

Joplin, Edward  R. 

Karl,  19805,  Frank  J. 
Kellum,  19833,  Hayden  C. 
Kenney,  19788,  John  J. 
King,  19756,  Clark  H. 
Knous,  19806,  Alfred  L. 
Kolb,  19705,  John  K. 
Koop,  19699,  Lamonte  P. 
Lastovica,  19757,  Frank  R. 
Latour,  19757,  Oliver  P. 


Pvt.  1st  CI. 
Pvt.  1st  CI. 
Cpl. 

Mess  Sgt. 
Pvt. 


Pvt. 

Chauf. 

Sgt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Sgt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Cpl. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Cpl. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 


1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 
1st  CI. 


Admitted  to  No.  30 
General  Hospital, 
July  28,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls 
September  13,  1918. 

Admitted  to  3rd 
Australian  Hospital, 
March  2,  i  9  i  8. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
September  23,  1918. 


Transferred  from 
squadron  to  Reclas- 
sification Barracks, 
October  24,  1918. 


Transferred  to 
Reclassification 
Barracks,  October 
24,  1918. 


166 


APPENDIX 


Laughery,  19789,  William  A. 
Loughlin,  19907,  Edward  J. 
Leary,  19758,  Carroll  E. 
Lehr,  19688,  Louis  A. 
Lemons,  19759,  Lonnie 
Leonard,  19732,  Lial  W. 
Leppin,  19808,  Norman 
Ley,  19855,  Arthur  M. 
Long,  19809,  Wallace  B. 
Love,  19761,  Virgil  L. 
Malloy,  19762,  Louis  A. 


Martel,  19763,  Clarence  A. 
Masters,  198 10,  William  H. 
McBride,  19764,  Ralph  C. 
McCarthy,  19800,  Neal  L 
McPherson,  1 98 1 1  ,WilliamF, 
Meek,  Jr.,  19856,  James  W. 
Miller,  1 98 1 2,  Arthur  F. 
Miller,  19776,  Beryl  O. 
Miller,  19784,  Hayes  R. 
Miller,  1983 1,  Henry  T. 
Miller,  19696,  Virgil  L. 
Minehart,  19757,  Arthur  L. 
Mitchell,  19689,  David  S. 
Morin,  19707,  Fred  P. 
Mueller,  19858,  Louis  E. 
Nelson,  19826,  Harold  W. 
O'Keefe,  19708,  John  J. 
Oldfield,  19709,  Clyde  S. 


Cpl. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Chauf.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Pvt.  1st  CL 

Chauf. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 


Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Chauf. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Sgt. 

Sgt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Cpl. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Sgt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 


Admitted  to  No.  21 
C.C.S.,  August  26, 
191 8.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  October  24, 
1918. 


1st  CI. 


Admitted  to  No.  6 
Field  Ambulance 
St.  Jean  Hospital, 
October  29,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  8,  1918. 


167 


APPENDIX 


Oyster,  19859,  Byron  M.  Chauf. 

Parker,  19710,  Edward  L.  Pvt. 

Passerine,  3521 1,  Emil  E.  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Pease,  252360,  Tod  H.  Sgt.  ist  CI. 


Pendleton,  19765,  Philip  W.    Pvt. 


Pickett,  19711,  Sidney  G.        Pvt. 


Pollucci,  1062034,  Nicholas  J.  Pvt. 


Portugal,  19838,  Harold  W.    Cpl. 


Price,  19712,  Sidney  E.  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Race,  369774,  Homer  H.         Pvt. 


Rader,  35212,  George  A.         Pvt. 


168 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  183  rd 
Flight  Detachment. 
September  15,  1918. 
Admitted  to  No  21 
CCS.  Hospital,  B. 
E.F.,  August  19, 
191 8.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  November  8, 
1918. 

Transferred  to 
Reclassification 
Barracks,  October 
24,  1918. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Admitted  to  hospi- 
tal, August  5,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
September  24,  1918. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Admitted  to  hospi- 
tal August  18,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
September  24,  1918. 


APPENDIX 


Randolph,  34213,  Frank  B. 
Ransdell,  19791,  Clarence  T. 
Ratzsch,  19795,  Emerson  R. 

Reed, William  H. 

Reid,  1061152,  William 


Reilly,  19763,  James  F. 
Richman,  198 15,  Willie 
Rigby,  1 0676 10,  Edward 


Rose,  19767,  Barton  H. 
Rose,  198 1 4,  Halla  E. 
Ross,  19785,  Jess 
Routt,  1 97 1 4,  Walter 
Sanford,  19733,  Jay  F. 
Seney,  19778,  Leroy  W. 
Slevin,  1 97 1 4,  James  J. 
Sloan,  19777,  De  Villo 

Slover,  19839,  George  W. 


Smith,  19820,  Cameron  A. 
Smith,  1 97 1 5,  John  G. 
Speth,  19832,  Roy  H. 


Cpl. 

Pvt.  istCl. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Cpl. 

Pvt. 


Pvt. 
Pvt. 
Sgt. 


Pvt. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Sgt. 

Pvt. 

Cpl. 

Sgt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 


Sgt.  1st  CI. 
Pvt.  1st  CI. 
Pvt. 


169 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement, 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


Admitted  to  No.  22 
CCS.  Hospital,  B. 
E.F.,  October  8, 
191 8.  Dropped  from 
rolls,  October  24, 
1918. 


A.W.O.L.,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1918.  Dropped 
from  rolls,  Novem- 
ber 23,   1918. 


APPENDIX 


Spurling,  19816,  Ernest  E. 
Stephens,  197 17,  Harry  B. 


Stickney,  198 16,  Brune  T. 
Stover,  1062266,  Homer  B. 


Strain,  19841,  Fred 


Strickland,  19786,  Nelson  J. 
Tanant,  lojoogz,  James 


Tero,  197 1 8,  David  H. 
Thole,  35214,  John  G. 
Thompson,  19793,  Blair  M. 
Thuman,  34215,  George  J. 
Thurman,  19860,  Earl  G. 
Toms,  19769,  Cedric  D. 
Traxler,  19770,  Harry  D. 
Trezise,  198 18,  Roy  W. 
Tyrrell,  19728,  Hubert  J. 
Urquhart,  197 19,  Davis  L. 
Van  Housen,   19734,  Ches- 
ter E. 
Wallace,  19774,  Clyde  B. 


Pvt. 
Cpl. 


Pvt. 
Pvt. 


Pvt.  1st  CI. 


Chauf. 
Pvt. 


Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Cpl. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Chauf.  1st  CI. 

Pvt.  1st  CI. 

Chauf. 

Cook 
Pvt. 


170 


Admitted  to  No.  21 
CCS.  Hospital,  Oc- 
tober  II,  19  I  8 . 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  8,  1918. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Admitted  to  U.S. 
Base  Hospital, 
Portsmouth,  June 
14,  191 8.  Dropped 
from  rolls,  Septem- 
ber 24,  1918. 

Transferred  to 
squadron  from  H 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 


Transferred  to 
Reclassification 
Barracks,  October 
30,  1918. 


APPENDIX 


Waterland,     1058994,    Gus- 
tav  A.  Pvt. 


Wellborn,  19824,  Clay  A.        Sgt.  ist  CI. 


Wessels,  19720,  Clarence         Cpl. 
Whiteaker,  19792,  William  C.  Pvt.  1st  CI. 
Wilcavage,  1972 1,  John  Chauf.  ist  CI 

Wiley,  35216,  Samuel  C.  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Willms,  19887,  Clarence  L.     Cook 
Wilson,  1 977 1,  Herbert  D.      Pvt. 


Wilson,  19830,  Walter  McC.  Chauf.  1st  CI. 
Winchester,  19722,  Harry  M.  Chauf. 
Wood,  19833,  Lawrence  C.     Cpl. 
Wray,  19723,  Harold  O.  Cpl. 

Wright,  288485,  Gail  H.  Sgt. 


Young,  19819,  Harold  E.        Cpl. 
Zoubeck,  19784,  Frank  J.        Sgt. 

Attached  (Medical  Corps) 

Haig,  640354,  Alfred  V.  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Hartin,  643169,  James  Pvt.  ist  CI. 

Homewood,      7 128 17,      Ar- 
thur R.  Sgt. 
Schultz,  640386,  Gardner  S.    Pvt.  ist  CI. 
Statler,  640477,  Donald  P.      Pvt.  ist  CI. 

171 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from  II 
Corps  Replacement 
Battalion,  October 
6,  1918. 

Admitted  to  No.  45 
Base  Hospital,  Toul, 
November  19,  1918. 
Dropped  from  rolls, 
November  23,  1918. 


Transferred  to 
Reclassification 
Barracks,  October 
30,  1918. 


Transferred  to 
squadron  from 
142nd  Aero  Squad- 
ron, July  4,  191 8. 


Attached 
ron,  July 

to 
4. 

Squad 
1918. 

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